Objective: Traditionally, laparotomy has been the main surgical treatment in gynecologic oncology. However, the recent development of various devices and the results of randomized controlled studies have enabled the introduction of total laparoscopic hysterectomy for early-stage endometrial cancer. The aim of this single-center study was to compare laparotomy and laparoscopy for endometrial cancer.
Patients: We analyzed a cohort of 68 patients who were diagnosed with Grade 1-2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of stage IA and underwent laparotomy (n = 35) or laparoscopy (n = 33) at our hospital between January 2012 and December 2015.
Results: The estimated blood loss and the duration of hospital stay were significantly lower, and the operating time including lymphadenectomy was significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group than in the laparotomy group. There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to the operating time without lymphadenectomy. No blood transfusions were required, and there were no severe complications, deaths, or recurrences in the laparoscopy group.
Conclusion: Even in our hospital, which started providing laparoscopic surgeries recently, laparoscopic surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer was performed safely. One of the greatest benefits of laparoscopic surgery is the magnification of the operative fields and performing surgeries that require a high level of precision. Therefore, laparoscopic surgery seems to be suitable for patients requiring surgery in gynecologic oncology.
