Robotic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy: our early experience.
BACKGROUND
Robotic surgery overcomes some limitations of laparoscopic surgery for prostate, rectal and uterine cancer. In this study we analyze the feasibility of robotic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in gynecological cancers in a developping program of robotic surgery.


METHODS
This prospective study started the 1st of March 2008. Since then, 250 cases of robotic surgery were performed out of which 29 cases addressed gynecological conditions. We selected all radical interventions summing up to 19 cases.


RESULTS
Our final group consisted of 19 patients, a gedbetween 30 and 78 years old, with an average age of 53.22 years (+/- 10.03). Twelve patients were diagnosed with cervical cancer, the rest of them with endometrial cancer. Mean operative time was 180 +/- 23.45 min. Oral intake were started the next day after the operation and the patients were discharged 3.5 (+/- 1.2) days postoperatively. There were 3 urinary complications in patients with tumors adherent to the urinary bladder.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that robotic radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in gynecological cancers is a rapid, feasible, and secure method that should be used whenever available. However further prospective studies and late follow-up results are needed in order to fully assess the value of this new technology.
Vasilescu
C
C
Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute Bucharest, Romania. catvasilescu@gmail.com
Sgarbură
O
O
Tudor
St
S
Popa
M
M
Turcanu
A
A
Florescu
A
A
Herlea
V
V
Anghel
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*