Robotic surgical staging for obese patients with endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical outcomes for robotic vs laparotomy staging in obese endometrial cancer patients. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2) staged in a community gynecologic oncology practice. Patients undergoing robotic staging were compared with historic laparotomy controls. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine patients underwent robotic staging, compared with 110 laparotomy patients. The robotic cohort had fewer abdominal wound complications (13.9% vs 32.7%, P < .001), but more vaginal cuff complications (4.7% vs 0%, P = .032). Blood loss was lower in the robotic group (P < .001), as was length of stay (P < .001). Surgical times were longer in the robotic group (P < .001). There was no difference in terms of percentage of patients undergoing pelvic or paraaortic lymph node dissection. CONCLUSION: Robotic staging for endometrial cancer is feasible in obese women, with fewer abdominal wound complications, but more vaginal cuff complications.