Laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer in aged patients: Experience from a tertiary referral center in Eastern China.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer in aged patients and show the experiences of laparoscopic surgery for elderly endometrial cancer patients in Eastern China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 211 patients (≥60 years) with endometrial carcinoma treated with surgery were retrospectively analyzed, including 104 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 107 who underwent laparotomy.

RESULTS: The operation time was similar in both groups (192.9 vs. 185.5 min, P = 0.722). For all cases, the estimated blood loss was less in the laparoscopic group relative to that of in the open group (227.5 vs. 382.6 ml, P = 0.000). There was no difference in the complication rate between the two groups (21.2% vs. 29.0%, P = 0.191). Overall, right pelvic and periaortic lymph node dissections were similar for the laparoscopic and laparotomy groups, but the former procedure dissected more left pelvic lymph nodes than that of in laparotomy (13.3 vs. 7.2 nodes, P = 0.038). The hospital stay was shorter after laparoscopic surgery than that of after laparotomy (7 vs. 10.5 days, P = 0.000). The recurrence rate was similar in the two groups (7.7% vs. 10.3%, P = 0.511).

CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy could be a safe alternative to laparotomy for endometrial cancer in aged patients.