Surgical approaches in women with endometrial cancer with a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2

Aim Endometrial cancer is often associated with obesity. We want to compare the outcomes of surgical staging according to the surgical approach in patients with a body mass index >= 35 kg/m(2). Methods A retrospective cohort study with 138 patients with endometrial cancer and body mass index >= 35 kg/m(2) with different surgical staging routes: laparotomy (LPT; n = 94) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS): laparoscopy (LPC; n = 18) + robotic assisted laparoscopy (n = 26). Results Lymphadenectomy rate was similar in the three groups; there were no differences in the number of nodes removed. Decreased bleeding (P = 0.002) and hospital admission length (P < 0.001) was observed in the endoscopic group. Less early-postoperative complications were observed in the robotic approach (P = 0.007). Significant differences were not observed in recurrence-free survival or in overall survival. Conclusion Minimal invasive surgical staging in obese women with endometrial cancer could represent the surgical route of choice because it decreases operative bleeding, hospital admission length and the early postoperative complication rate without compromising recurrence-free survival or overall survival.