Robotic hysterectomy: an umbrella review and regional access in the Midlands, UK - Is there inequity?

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To review current evidence on robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RAH) and assess hysterectomy practices across the Midlands, UK, with a focus on the availability of robotic procedures, geographical variations in the incidence of uterine cancer, and service provision.

DESIGN

An umbrella review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines combined with a descriptive regional data analysis.

SETTING

Midlands, UK.

PATIENTS: Women undergoing hysterectomy for uterine cancer between 2019 and 2023, based on national and regional datasets.

INTERVENTION: Comparison of RAH with open and laparoscopic approaches, and assessment of access to robotic surgery across integrated care boards (ICBs) in the Midlands.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

The final analysis included 12 systematic reviews. Compared with open hysterectomy, RAH was associated with reduced blood loss, lower transfusion rate, shorter hospital stay, and lower complication rates, while benefits over laparoscopic hysterectomy were less consistent. Descriptive regional analysis demonstrated substantial variation in uterine cancer incidence and hysterectomy rates across ICBs in the Midlands. Visual comparison suggested that areas with a higher incidence of uterine cancer did not align consistently with higher rates of RAH, and access to robotic surgery varied across the region, with some ICBs having no local provision.

CONCLUSION

The continued expansion of RAH in the UK highlights the need for coordinated governance and service planning. Observed regional variation supports the development of clear referral pathways, standardized patient selection criteria, and regional oversight to guide equitable and effective integration of robotic surgery, particularly in areas with limited local provision.