title: Laparoscopic versus laparotomic approach to endometrial cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to compare the feasibility, morbidity, long-term safety, disease-free survival, and overall survival of the laparoscopic (LPS) approach to early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) compared to the traditional laparotomic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed retrospective data of patients who underwent primary surgery from 1997 to 2009. We recorded clinical parameters, surgical stage, histological type, operative and peri-operative complications, time to resumption of normal functions, conversion to laparotomy, overall survival, and disease-free survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LPS, did not increase operative risk and peri-operative complications even in obese and older women. The number of pelvic lymph and aortic nodes removed was similar for the two groups. One hundred and eight patients had a follow-up of 60 months. The two groups were similar for disease-free survival and overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic approach to EC provides a reduction in postoperative complications and hospital stay compared to the laparotomic approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit of Oncologic Gynecology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital Bologna, Italy. amperrone@libero.it
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Di Marcoberardino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pozzati
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Procaccini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Iaco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies