Gynecol Oncol. 2008 Dec;111(3):407-11.
Comparison of outcomes and cost for endometrial cancer staging via
traditional laparotomy, standard laparoscopy and robotic techniques.
Bell MC, Torgerson J, Seshadri-Kreaden U, Suttle AW, Hunt S.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sanford Women's Health, Sanford Clinic, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA. BELLM@sanfordhealth.org
Objectives:
The study purpose was to compare hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy completed via robotic assistance, laparotomy, and laparoscopy for endometrial cancer staging with respect to operative and peri-operative outcomes, complications, adequacy of staging, and cost.
Methods:
One hundred and ten patients underwent hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer staging. All cases were performed by a single surgeon, at a single institution (40 robotic, 40 laparotomy, and 30 laparoscopic) and were retrospectively reviewed to compare demographics and peri-operative variables including, operative time, estimated blood loss, lymph node count, hospital stay, complications, and return to normal activity. Additionally, a cost comparison between all three modalities was performed.
Results:
Patients undergoing robotic assisted hysterectomy and staging experienced longer operative time than the laparotomy cohort with no difference in comparison to the laparoscopic cohort (184 min, 108.6 min, 171 min, p<0.0001, p=0.14). Estimated blood loss was significantly reduced for the robotic cohort in comparison to the laparotomy cohort and comparable to laparoscopic cohort (166 cc, 316 cc, 253 cc, p=0.01, p=0.25). The complication rate was lowest in the robotic cohort (7.5%) relative to the laparotomy (27.5%) and laparoscopic cohorts (20%) (p=0.015, p=0.03). Average return to normal activity for the robotic patients was significantly shorter than those undergoing laparotomy (24.1 days versus 52 days, p<0.0001) and those undergoing laparoscopy (31.6 days, p=0.005). Lymph node retrieval did not differ between the 3 groups (robotic 17 nodes, laparotomy 14 nodes, laparoscopic 17 nodes). The total average cost for hysterectomy with staging completed via laparotomy was $12,943.60, for standard laparoscopy $7569.80, and for robotic assistance $8212.00. The difference in cost between laparotomy and robotic cohorts was significant p=0.0001 while there was no statistically significant difference in cost between laparoscopy and robotic cohorts p=0.06.
Conclusions:
Robotic hysterectomy provides comparable node retrieval to laparotomy and laparoscopic procedures in the case of the experienced laparoscopic surgeon. While robotic hysterectomy takes longer to perform than hysterectomy completed via laparotomy, it is equivalent to laparoscopic hysterectomy and provides the patient with a more expeditious return to normal activity with reduced post-operative morbidity. Additionally, the average cost for hysterectomy and staging was highest for laparotomy, followed by robotic, and least for standard laparoscopy.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is cancer (malignancy)
- 2 What is meant by cancer staging?
- 3 How prevalent is cancer?
- 4 How prevalent are womens' cancers?
- 5 What causes cancer?
- 6 Is cancer a hereditary condition?
- 7 How can gynaecological cancer present?
- 8 How can we reduce the risks of the womens' cancers?
Reducing the Risks of Womens' Cancers.
- 9 What are screening tests?
- 10 What are the reactions to a diagnosis of cancer?
- 11 Is there a place for counselling when cancer is diagnosed?
- 12 Can personality alter the prognosis?
- 13 Is the incidence of deaths from the female cancers changing?
- 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?
Cancer of the Cervix.
- 15 How prevalent is cervical cancer?
- 16 What causes cervical cancer?
- 17 How long an interval should there be between cervical screening (smear) (PAP) tests?
- 18 Is there any evidence that cervical screening can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer?
- 19 Will pre-malignant changes of the cervix invariably lead to cancer?
Endometrial Cancer (Uterus)
- 20 What causes endometrial cancer?
- 21 Are there screening tests for endometrial cancer?
- 22 How does endometrial cancer present?
- 22a How can endometrial cancer be prevented?
- 22b How can endometrial cancer be treated?
Cancer of the Ovary.
- 23 How does ovarian cancer present?
- 24 How prevalent is ovarian cancer?
- 25 What are tumour markers?
- 26 Can we screen for ovarian cancer?
- 27 What is the relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer?
- 28 Can treatment of infertility increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
- 29 What is the relationship between oral contraception and cancer?
- 30 Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
- 31 I use talcum power. Could this increase my risk of developing ovarian cancer?
The Treatment Of Womens' Cancers
- 32 Can we predict the course of a cancer?
- 33 What treatment options are available for gynaecological cancer?
- Q32.33c What treatment options are available for ovarian cancer?
Cancer of the Vulva, Vagina and Fallopian Tube
- 34 How prevalent are malignant conditions of the vulva, vagina and Fallopian tubes?
Breast Cancer
- 35 What is the incidence of breast cancer?
- 35 ?What is the cause of breast cancer?
- 35a What are the advantages of breast cancer screening - mammography - mammograms?
- 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?
- 36 How often should breast screening be carried out?
- 37 Are there any problems having a mammogram?
- 38 Should I check myself for breast lumps?
- 39 One of my family developed cancer of the breast. Am I at increased risk?
- 40 We have a family tendency towards developing breast / ovarian cancer. Are there any genetic tests to find out if I am at increased risk?
- 41 What happens if a mammogram shows an abnormality?
- 42 What are the advantages and disadvantages of tamoxifen in the management of breast cancer?
- 42a Breast Cancer Treatment - What is available?
- 43 What is the relationship between breast cancer and the pill?
Web sites and Support Groups
- 44 Are there any support groups?
- 44 Are there any support groups?
- 45 Support Groups.
- 46 Breast Cancer Support Groups
- 47 Ovarian Cancer Support Groups
- 48 Endometrial Cancer Support Groups
- 49 Cervical Cancer Support Groups
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.



