Perioperative outcomes of robotically assisted hysterectomy for benign cases with complex pathology.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the perioperative outcomes after robotically assisted total hysterectomy for benign indications in a large patient population with predominantly complex pathology.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-two patients underwent robotic hysterectomy for noncancer indications from May 2005 to May 2008. A systematic chart review of consecutive robotic cases was conducted based on preoperative and perioperative characteristics of each patient. Each case was evaluated for its complexity based on preoperative diagnosis, prior pelvic or abdominal surgery, patient's body mass index, and uterine weight.


RESULTS
The overall operative time was 122.9 minutes, estimated blood loss was 79.0 mL, and there were three (2.1%) intraoperative complications, with no perioperative blood transfusions or conversions. There were five (3.5%) patients with postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay was 1.0 days on average. Of the characteristics indicating complexity, only uterine weight greater than 250 g resulted in significantly increased operative times, attributable to increased morcellation time.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotically assisted total hysterectomy for benign indications in patients with complex pathology is feasible, with low morbidity and a short hospital stay. This study suggests that robotic assistance facilitates the use of a minimally invasive approach in high-risk patient populations.


METHODS
III.
Boggess
John F
JF
From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Gehrig
Paola A
PA
Cantrell
Leigh
L
Shafer
Aaron
A
Mendivil
Alberto
A
Rossi
Emma
E
Hanna
Rabbie
R
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012371:Robotics; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
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