title: Surgically managed stage I endometrial cancer in a low-volume center: outcomes and complications in a military residency program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare operative outcomes and complications for patients with endometrial cancer who underwent staging by laparoscopy vs laparotomy in a low-volume facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research was conducted with a retrospective cohort of surgical patients with clinical stage I endometrial cancer from 2004-2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six demographically similar patients (50 laparotomy and 36 laparoscopy) were identified. Laparoscopy had less estimated blood loss (339 vs 558 mL; P = .013) and lower rates of transfusion (5.6% vs 24%; P = .02). Laparoscopy was longer (281 vs 202 minutes; P < .0005) but required a shorter hospital stay (2.2 vs 5.5 days; P < .0005). Laparoscopy patients had fewer overall complications (16.7% vs 32%; P = .11). No differences in final surgical stage or lymph node yields between the groups were present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a longer procedure, laparoscopy had fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. Prolonged operative time, compared with published experience, is potentially the result of unique factors in our center.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Beverly G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lowery
authors.forename: Erin A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Keyser
authors.forename: Edward R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Kost
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sundborg
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Cristy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Landt
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Leath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies