Robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy seems safe in women with early-stage endometrial cancer.

INTRODUCTION

Robotic surgery is increasingly used in the management of endometrial cancer; and although it is known that minimally invasive surgery reduces post-operative morbidity, the outcomes of this novel treatment should be monitored carefully. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo scale after robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy (RALH) for early-stage endometrial cancer and atypical complex hyperplasia. The Clavien-Dindo scale grades the severity of complications.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, descriptive cohort study of 235 women with endometrial cancer or atypical complex hyperplasia who had RALH. Surgeries were stratified into two groups: with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 6% developed a grade 3 or higher complication with no significant difference (p = 0.24) between the groups. The overall incidence of complications was 15%, also with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.32). The most frequent complications were urinary tract infections (6%) and port site/wound infections (3%). A total of 21% of the women who had lymphadenectomy developed lymphoedema within 12 months.

CONCLUSION

The types and frequency of complications observed in this study resemble those reported in similar studies of RALH for malignant gynaecologic conditions. Health-care professionals treating and caring for women with early-stage endometrial cancer should know of the types and frequency of post-operative complications following RALH.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.