OBJECTIVE: The robotic surgical system is reported to overcome some technical difficulties in traditional laparoscopic hysterectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and surgical outcomes of a robotic surgery program for endometrial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with endometrial cancer with the intention to receive treatment using robot-assisted laparoscopic staging surgery were recruited in a university hospital from July 2007 to August 2008. All of these surgeries were performed with the da Vinci system. RESULTS: Six patients (mean age, 47.5 +/-1.4 years; mean body mass index, 26.2 +/-3.5 kg/m(2)) were enrolled and completed robot-assisted laparoscopic staging surgery. The robot docking time was 45.0 +/-13.6 minutes and the robot-assisted operation time was 200.3 +/-30.0 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 180.0 +/-147.6 mL. The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved was 23.2 +/-7.4. No laparoconversion and no intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. All patients were alive and free of disease up to the date of this report, at a median follow-up of 6.5 months (range, 5-17 months). CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic staging surgery is a feasible treatment and helps overcome the technical limitations in conventional laparoscopy for endometrial cancer.
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