OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of total laparoscopic to robotic approach for hysterectomy and all indicated procedures after controlling for surgeon and other confounding factors. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all consecutive cases of total laparoscopic and da Vinci robotic hysterectomies between August 2007 and July 2009 by two gynecologic oncology surgeons. Our primary outcome measure was operative procedure time. Secondary measures included complications, conversion to laparotomy, estimated blood loss and length of hospital stay. A mixed model with a random intercept was applied to control for surgeon and other confounders. Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The 124 patients included in the study consisted of 77 total laparoscopic hysterectomies and 47 robotic hysterectomies. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics, indications for surgery and additional procedures performed. The difference between the mean operative procedure time for the total laparoscopic hysterectomy group (111.4 minutes) and the robotic hysterectomy group (150.8 minutes) was statistically significant (p=0.0001) despite the fact that the specimens obtained in the total laparoscopic hysterectomy group were significantly larger (125 g vs. 94 g, p=0.002). The robotic hysterectomy group had statistically less estimated blood loss than the total laparoscopic hysterectomy group (131.5 mL vs. 207.7 mL, p=0.0105) however no patients required a blood transfusion in either group. Both groups had a comparable rate of conversion to laparotomy, intraoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy can be performed safely and in less operative time compared to robotic hysterectomy when performed by trained surgeons.
Blood Transfusion ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Intraoperative Complications ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Chylous ascites is an uncommon postoperative complication of gynecological surgery. We report a case of chylous ascites following a robotic lymph node dissection for a cervical carcinoma. A 38-year-old woman with IB2 cervical adenocarcinoma with a palpable 3 cm left external iliac lymph node was taken to the operating room for robotic-assisted laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection. Patient was discharged on postoperative day 2 after an apparent uncomplicated procedure. The patient was readmitted the hospital on postoperative day 9 with abdominal distention and a CT-scan revealed free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis. A paracentesis demonstrated milky-fluid with an elevated concentration of triglycerides, confirming the diagnosis of chylous ascites. She recovered well with conservative measures. The risk of postoperative chylous ascites following lymph node dissection is still present despite the utilization of new technologies such as the da Vinci robot.
Abdomen ; Adenocarcinoma ; Adult ; Chylous Ascites ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Operating Rooms ; Paracentesis ; Pelvis ; Postoperative Complications ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To compare the feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic management of adnexal masses appearing preoperatively benign with those suspicious for malignancy. METHODS: Retrospective study of 694 women that underwent laparoscopic management of an adnexal mass. RESULTS: Laparoscopic management of an adnexal mass was completed in 678 patients. Six hundred and thirty five patients had benign pathology (91.5%) and 53 (7.6%) had primary ovarian cancers. Sixteen patients (2.3%) were converted to laparotomy; there were 13 intraoperative (1.9%) and 16 postoperative complications (2.3%). Patients divided in 2 groups: benign and borderline/malignant tumors. Patients in the benign group had a higher incidence of ovarian cyst rupture (26% vs. 8.7%, p<0.05). Patients in the borderline/malignant group had a statistically significant higher conversion rate to laparotomy (0.9% vs. 16.9%, p<0.001), postoperative complications (1.9% vs. 12.2%, p<0.05), blood loss, operative time, and duration of hospital stay. The incidence of intraoperative complications was similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of masses that are suspicious for malignancy or borderline pathology is associated with an increased risk in specific intra-operative and post-operative morbidities in comparison to benign masses. Surgeons should tailor the operative risks with their patients according to the preoperative likelihood of the mass being carcinoma or borderline malignancy.
Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraoperative Complications ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Ovarian Cysts ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture

OBJECTIVE: To compare peri- and postoperative outcomes and complications of laparoscopic vs. robotic-assisted surgical staging for women with endometrial cancer at two established academic institutions. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all women that underwent total hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robotic-assisted or laparoscopic approach over a four-year period by three surgeons at two academic institutions. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were measured. Secondary outcomes included operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, number of lymph nodes retrieved, length of hospital stay and need for re-operation or re-admission. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-two cases were identified: 187 patients with robotic-assisted and 245 with laparoscopic staging. Both groups were statistically comparable in baseline characteristics. The overall rate of intraoperative complications was similar in both groups (1.6% vs. 2.9%, p=0.525) but the rate of urinary tract injuries was statistically higher in the laparoscopic group (2.9% vs. 0%, p=0.020). Patients in the robotic group had shorter hospital stay (1.96 days vs. 2.45 days, p=0.016) but an average 57 minutes longer surgery than the laparoscopic group (218 vs. 161 minutes, p=0.0001). There was less conversion rate (0.5% vs. 4.1%; relative risk, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 1.34; p=0.027) and estimated blood loss in the robotic than in the laparoscopic group (187 mL vs. 110 mL, p=0.0001). There were no significant differences in blood transfusion rate, number of lymph nodes retrieved, re-operation or re-admission between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted surgery is an acceptable alternative to laparoscopy for staging of endometrial cancer and, in selected patients, it appears to have lower risk of urinary tract injury.
Blood Transfusion ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Intraoperative Complications ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotics ; Urinary Tract