Application of single-port techniques in endometrial cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review: The increasing adoption of minimally invasive techniques has transformed the surgical management of endometrial cancer. Among these, single-port techniques, including laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS), robotic single-port laparoscopy (RSPL), and vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES), have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional multiport laparoscopy. This review aims to evaluate recent evidence regarding the feasibility, perioperative outcomes, and oncologic safety of these techniques, with a focus on their role in endometrial cancer staging and management.

Recent findings: Current literature highlights the advantages of single-port techniques, such as reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and improved cosmetic outcomes compared to multiport laparoscopy. LESS and RSPL offer enhanced visualization and improved ergonomics, addressing some of the technical challenges associated with single-site surgery. Meanwhile, vNOTES has demonstrated feasibility for hysterectomy and sentinel lymph node mapping, with studies reporting high detection rates and promising perioperative outcomes. However, concerns remain regarding long-term oncologic safety, standardization of SLN procedures, and technical feasibility in obese patients. While preliminary data are reassuring, particularly for RSPL and vNOTES, mature evidence on recurrence and survival outcomes remains limited.

Summary: Single-port techniques and vNOTES represent viable, minimally invasive alternatives in the surgical management of endometrial cancer. Their benefits in perioperative recovery and cosmetic outcomes are well documented, but their widespread adoption is limited by technical challenges, standardization issues, and a lack of long-term oncologic data. Large, multicentric, and randomized trials are necessary to further validate these approaches and establish their role in routine clinical practice.

Keywords: laparoendoscopic single-site surgery; robotic single-port laparoscopy; vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.