Robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology: program initiation and outcomes after the first year with comparison with laparotomy for endometrial cancer staging.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate outcomes during the first year of a robotic surgery program in gynecologic oncology.


METHODS
We studied the initiation of a robotic surgery program with prospective data collection, including intraoperative times, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), lymph node yields, and complications. Patients were compared with historical and contemporary open staging surgery for endometrial cancer.


RESULTS
One hundred eighteen patients underwent robotic surgery (mean age 52.5 years, body mass index of 26.3 kg/m(2), hospital stay of 32.4 hours), with 8 major and 13 minor complications. Compared with open endometrial staging (n = 131), the robotic procedure (n = 25) was longer (283 vs 139 minutes, P < .0001), had less blood loss (66.6 vs 197.6 mL, P < .0001), and had shorter length of stay (40.3 vs 127 hours, P < .0001) with comparable node yields (17.5 vs 13.1, P = .1109).


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic surgery is feasible in gynecologic oncology and facilitated a dramatic expansion in our minimally invasive surgical practice. Despite longer operative times, EBL and LOS are reduced and lymph node yields are comparable.
Veljovich
Dan S
DS
Pacific Gynecology Specialists, Inc., Swedish Medical Center, Seattle WA 98104, USA. veljovich@pacificgyn.com
Paley
Pamela J
PJ
Drescher
Charles W
CW
Everett
Elise N
EN
Shah
Chirag
C
Peters
William A
WA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome