Beyond the learning curve: improving outcomes in Robotic myomectomy compared to laparoscopic myomectomy

Uterine myomas are benign tumours frequently seen in women of reproductive age. Myomectomy remains a viable option for treating this condition in women who wish to preserve their uterus. We undertook this study to compare the peri-operative surgical outcomes of Robotic myomectomy (RM) with laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) in Indian patients of uterine myomas after the initial learning curve of RM was achieved. A retrospective chart review was performed for the patients who underwent RM or LM for the treatment of uterine myomas. A total of 177 patients, 116 in the RM group and 61 in the LM group, were included in the study. The mean age in the RM and LM group was 34.31 +/- 5.40 years and 33.54 +/- 4.96 years, respectively (p = 0.355). The mean total operative time was marginally more in RM group (127.37 +/- 110.67 vs. 120.66 +/- 44.27, p = 0.650) but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients in the RM group had significantly less blood loss (115.43 +/- 79.43 vs. 340.98 +/- 453.9 ml, p = < 0.0001), hospital stay (1.28 +/- 0.49 vs. 1.92 +/- 1.05 days, p = < 0.0001), requirement of blood transfusion (93.97 vs. 81.97%, p = 0.031) and requirement of intravenous (IV) analgesia (41.38 vs. 34.43%, p = 0.019) as compared to the patients in the LM group. The Robotic myomectomy significantly reduces blood loss, the duration of hospital stay, and requirement of blood transfusions and IV analgesia as compared to the laparoscopic myomectomy.