Role of robot-assisted laparoscopy in adjuvant surgery for locally advanced cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted laparoscopy with traditional laparotomy and conventional laparoscopy in a series of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer managed in our two institutions.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopy were compared with 20 patients who underwent adjuvant surgery by laparotomy and 16 who underwent conventional laparoscopy, before the arrival of the Da Vinci surgical system.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of body mass index, FIGO stage, or tumor histology. The complication rate was similar in the three groups of patients, although there was a trend towards more lymphatic complications in the robot-assisted subgroup managed medically. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the robot-assisted laparoscopy, conventional laparoscopy and laparotomy groups (27.3%, 29.4% and 30%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Robot-assisted laparoscopy is feasible after concurrent chemoradiation and brachytherapy in cases of locally advanced cervical cancer. This new surgical approach reduces hospital stay, and seems to result in less severe complications than conventional laparotomy without modifying the oncological outcome.
Lambaudie
E
E
Paoli Calmettes Institute, Department of Surgery, 232 bd Sainte Marguerite, BP 156, 13009 Marseille, France. lambaudie@marseille.fnclcc.fr
Narducci
F
F
Bannier
M
M
Jauffret
C
C
Pouget
N
N
Leblanc
E
E
Houvenaeghel
G
G
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012371:Robotics; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*