A COMPARISON OF LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY WITH OPEN PROCEDURE IN ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Background.-Laparoscopic hysterectomy and lymph node dissection have l ately been reported as an alternative to an abdominal open procedure f or the treatment of malignant gynaecological conditions. The laparosco pic operative technique has been evaluated and compared as to whether it is a safe, feasible and effective procedure. Subjects: The study in cludes 78 women with indications for surgery for endometrial cancer st age I. A retrospective comparative study was undertaken at Baby Friend ly Hospital, Kladno, in which 11 patients treated laparoscopically wer e compared with 26 patients treated by the open procedure of lymphaden ectomy. We evaluated differences in the peri-and postoperative outcome s. Results: All 11 procedures were successfully completed. The mean op erating time was 153 min, and mean blood loss was 130 mi. The median h ospital stay was 4.7 days. There were no major complications. Conclusi ons: Laparoscopic hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy seem to be the proc edures which result in a shorter hospital stay and rapid recovery. Thi s approach could potentially decrease morbidity historically associate d with hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy performed abdominally. Only pr ospective randomised studies will be able to demonstrate the ability o f operative laparoscopy to improve contemporary management of endometr ial cancer.