Background: The initial experience of a gynaecological oncology robotic surgery programme at a tertiary care cancer centre is described.
Methods: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of 76 patients offered robot-assisted surgery.
Results: Seventy-three patients underwent robot-assisted surgery; three cases were converted to laparotomy; 51% of patients underwent treatment for endometrial cancer; 18% had ovarian cancer risk reduction surgery; and 8% were treated for uterine leiomyomata. Median body mass index (BMI) was 30. Median estimated blood loss, operative time, and length of stay were 150 ml, 195 min and 1 day, respectively. The total major complication rate was 6.8% and the total minor complication rate was 15.1%.
Conclusion: Robot-assisted surgery is safe and appropriate for gynaecological patients undergoing surgical management. A gynaecological oncology robot-assisted programme can be easily established in a tertiary care cancer centre.
Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.