title: Comparison of laparoscopy and laparotomy for management of endometrial carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the outcome of laparoscopic surgery for endometrial carcinoma compared with laparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Review databases in September 2007. Three independent evaluators selected the articles according to predetermined selection criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen comparative studies (5 prospective and 8 retrospective) that met the selection criteria were included. In a fixed-effects meta-analysis, the overall survival and therecurrence rate showed no significant differences between the laparoscopy and the laparotomy groups, with odds ratios of 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.64-1.62) and 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.49-1.16), respectively. However, the complication rate was lower in the laparoscopy group than in the laparotomy group with an odds ratio of 0.43 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.58).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survival outcome and recurrence rate after laparoscopic surgery for endometrial carcinoma were similar to those in the laparotomy procedures. However, the complication rate was lower after laparoscopy compared with laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Woong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Seung-Kwon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Myung
authors.forename: Yeol
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyuck Jae
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Seung Cheol
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D016239:MEDLINE; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis; D015996:Survival Rate