Robotic-Assisted Gynecologic Surgery and Perioperative Morbidity in Elderly Women.
To assess perioperative complications, conversions, and operative times in patients age ≥75 years undergoing robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery.



Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).



High-volume, 2-physician gynecologic oncology practice.



A total of 705 women who underwent any robot-assisted gynecologic procedure for benign (n = 380) or malignant (n = 325) conditions between July 2008 and May 2014. Fifty patients age ≥75 years (elderly group) were compared with 655 patients age <75 years (younger group).



Operative data were gathered prospectively for all robotic-assisted procedures. Demographic and perioperative outcomes were analyzed retrospectively for this study.



The mean age was 81.3 ± 4.2 years (range, 75.0-90.5 years) in the elderly group and 52.8 ± 11.5 years (range, 22.9-74.6 years) in the younger group. The elderly group had higher rates of surgery for malignancy (90.0% vs 43.2%; p < .01) and lymphadenectomy (44.0% vs 23.4%; p < .01), and was more likely to have cardiovascular disease (88.0% vs 37.6%; p < .01). There were no between-group differences in body mass index or history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, or more than 1 previous abdominal surgical procedure. The elderly group was more likely to have a length of stay greater than postoperative day one (30.0% vs 14.8%; p = .01) and had a higher incidence of postoperative cardiac arrhythmia (8.0% vs 1.2%; p < .01). The elderly group also had a smaller median uterine size (83.0 ± 49.1 g vs 126.0 ± 189.5 g; p < .01), but total operative time, rate of conversion (6.0% vs 1.8%) and rate of blood transfusion (2.0% vs 1.5%) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Rates of bowel and genitourinary injury were <1% in both groups, and there was no between-group difference in postoperative infectious morbidity, vaginal cuff complications, or reoperation.



The perioperative complication rates of robotic-assisted surgery are comparable in elderly women and younger women, despite a longer hospital length of stay and greater likelihood of postoperative arrhythmia in elderly women.
Women's Cancer Care of Seattle, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, UW Medicine, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: adriankkrause@gmail.com.
Adrian K
AK
Krause
Women's Cancer Care of Seattle, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, UW Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
Howard G
HG
Muntz
Women's Cancer Care of Seattle, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, UW Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
Kathryn F
KF
McGonigle
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods
Elderly; Laparoscopy; Robotic surgery