Objectives: The aims of this study were to report the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer and to assess the effects of laparoscopic surgery on the survival of patients.
Methods: Twenty-three patients with clinical stage I and IIa endometrial cancer were treated by laparoscopy (laparoscopy group [LS]). The surgical procedures included hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, and para-aortic-pelvic lymphadenectomy. Peri-operative morbidities and outcomes were compared with 20 control patients who were treated with traditional open surgery (laparotomy group [LT]). The recurrence rate, overall survival, and progression-free survival were also compared between the groups.
Results: All 23 patients were treated successfully with laparoscopy. The mean operative time was 419.5 and 321.8 min in the LS and LT groups, respectively. Two intra-operative and 5 post-operative complications occurred in the LS group, but the complication rates were not significantly different from in the complications in the LT group. An earlier recovery and a shorter hospital stay were features of the LS group. There were no differences in recurrence rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival between the LS and LT groups.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery of early-stage endometrial cancer is a valid alternative to traditional open surgery, with an earlier recovery and improved quality of life without compromising prognosis.
