Perioperative outcomes in patients with very low-risk endometrial cancer undergoing surgery without lymph node dissection: Results from KGOG 2021

Aim

To evaluate the perioperative outcomes of patients with endometrial cancer meeting the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) criteria who underwent surgery without lymph node dissection.

Methods

This study included 153 patients who met the KGOG criteria: (1) endometrioid histology, (2) myometrial invasion <50%, (3) tumor confined to the corpus, (4) no lymph node >1 cm, and (5) serum CA125 ≤ 35 U/mL. The patients underwent surgery without lymph node dissection at 11 hospitals in Korea between February 2020 and May 2024. Perioperative outcomes were collected prospectively.

Results

Among the 153 patients, 89 (58%) underwent surgery without lymph node removal, while 64 (42%) underwent surgery with lymph node removal. Minimally invasive surgery was performed in >90% of cases, with a conversion rate to laparotomy of 1%. The mean surgery time was 109.37 ± 37.67 min. Estimated blood loss was minimal (93.74 ± 93.13 mL), with a mean hemoglobin drop of 1.32 ± 1.01 g/dL. Transfusions were required in only three patients (2%). Postoperative hospital stays exceeded 2 days in 51% of cases. Lymph node metastasis was observed in just one case (1%). Adverse events included 52 grade 1 and 2 grade 2 events (e.g., headache, paresthesia). Patients undergoing lymph node removal (primarily sentinel lymph node biopsy) had significantly longer surgery times and postoperative hospital stays compared to those without lymph node removal.

Conclusion

Surgery without lymph node dissection demonstrated excellent perioperative outcomes and minimal adverse events in patients meeting KGOG criteria.