Evolution of surgical management of early-stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the evolution of surgical care for early-stage endometrial cancers and factors affecting use of laparoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Women with surgically managed early-stage endometrial cancer were divided into 2 groups corresponding to before and after addition of faculty with formal fellowship training in laparoscopic staging and access to a robotic surgery platform. RESULTS: In all, 502 women were identified. Laparoscopic management increased from 24-69% between time periods (P < .0001). Performance of comprehensive surgical staging, and lymph node counts, increased (P < .0001) despite an increase in median body mass index (P = .001). A traditional "straight stick" technique was performed in 72% of laparoscopic cases during the later period. Laparoscopy patients had lower estimated blood losses and shorter hospital stays (each P < .0001) compared to laparotomy patients. CONCLUSION: Addition of faculty with formal fellowship training in laparoscopic staging and access to a robotic surgery platform shifted management of early-stage endometrial cancer toward laparoscopy.