Mini-laparoscopy versus conventional laparoscopy for the management of endometrial cancer.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a mini-laparoscopic surgical approach versus standard laparoscopy.

Methods: 75 patients with endometrial cancer treated by mini-laparoscopic (n=25) or conventional laparoscopic surgery (n=50) at a tertiary-care university-based teaching hospital and academic affiliated private hospital were included.

Results: There was no significant difference between the mini-laparoscopy and the conventional laparoscopy group regarding surgical procedures. The mean operation time and the median estimated blood loss were similar (p=0.671 and p=0.158, respectively). No difference was found in terms of the number of lymph nodes removed. No intraoperative complications were observed in both groups. Return to daily routine and the rate of additional analgesia requirement were similar in the groups. The mean duration of hospitalization was 3.6±1.2 days in the mini-laparoscopy group and 4.9±3.6 days in the conventional laparoscopy group (p=0.025).

Conclusion: We demonstrated that mini-laparoscopic staging could be a competent technique performed regardless of harm by talented surgeons using state-of-the-art instruments. Mini-laparoscopic surgery appears to be a further possibility to minimize surgical trauma by reducing the size of the ports without decreasing the extent and effectiveness of the procedures.