Advantages of laparoscopy versus laparotomy in extremely obese women (BMI>35) with early-stage endometrial cancer: a multicenter study

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the advantages of laparoscopy versus laparotomy for treatment of extremely obese women with early-stage endometrial cancer.

Materials and methods: Seventy-five extremely obese patients with Body Mass Index >35 kg/m(2) and clinical stage I endometrial cancer underwent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and in all cases we performed systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy by laparoscopy (mean BMI of 38±7.3 kg/m(2)) or laparotomy (mean BMI of 39±8.1 kg/m(2)).

Results: In two (4.4%) patients of the laparoscopy group we observed a port site haematoma that was resolved without a second surgery. In three patients of the laparotomy-group, we observed dehiscence of the abdominal suture with surgical site infection that was re-sutured.

Conclusion: Laparoscopy can be considered a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for managing early-stage endometrial cancer in extremely obese women with a lower complication rate, lower surgical site infection and postoperative hospitalization.

Keywords: Endometrial cancer; hysterectomy; laparoscopy; lymphadenectomy; obese women.