Laparoscopic surgical staging in women with early stage epithelial ovarian cancer performed by recently certified gynecologic oncologists.

Objective: To compare the surgical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgical staging in patients with early stage ovarian cancer performed by recently certified gynecologic oncologists.

Study Design: A retrospective comparative observational study was performed, which included women who had undergone laparoscopic comprehensive surgical staging for early stage epithelial ovarian cancer between June, 2008 and January, 2014. Patients were compared with women who had undergone laparotomic staging between June, 2006 and January, 2014.

Results: A total of 50 and 58 patients underwent, laparoscopic and laparotomy surgical staging, respectively. The patients' baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Women in the laparoscopy group had a significantly lower preoperative CA-125 value (p=0.01). The operative time was similar between groups. The patients in the laparotomy group had significantly higher estimated blood loss (p≤0.001) and larger ovarian masses (p=0.001). Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in laparotomy versus laparoscopy; median (IQ range) 200 (200-225) ml and 500 (300-1000) ml (p≤0.0001). Intraoperative complications and postoperative complication rate was similar in both groups regardless of the type of surgical procedure; and laparoscopy was associated with a significantly shorter length of the hospital stay (p≤0.001). The number of lymph node retrieved and upstaging rate, as well as progression free survival and overall survival rates, were similar in both groups.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgical staging of apparent early stage ovarian cancer has similar surgical and oncological outcomes to laparotomy when recently certified gynecologic oncologists perform the procedures.