Challenges on the morbidly obese endometrial cancer surgery: Laparotomy or laparoscopy, lymphadenectomy or no lymphadenectomy?

Objectives: A considerable proportion of endometrial cancer patients are morbidly obese. Management of these cases is a serious dilemma. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of laparoscopic route and omission of lymphadenectomy as morbidity-reducing strategies in this special population.

Material And Methods: Endometrial cancer patients' archival records were retrospectively reviewed and cases with body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2 were selected. A comparative evaluation of their characteristics and survival rates were performed. Firstly, according to the surgical approach; laparoscopy or laparotomy, and then regarding to performing lymphadenectomy or not.

Results: There were 146 patients enrolled in this study. Whereas, significantly higher postoperative complications and longer hospital stays were determined in the laparotomy compared to laparoscopy groups. Five years disease-free and overall survival were not significantly different (83.6% vs 70.7%, p = 0.184 and 83.9% vs 86.6%, p = 0.571, respectively). On the other hand, operation length, postoperative hospitalization time, both intraoperative and postoperative complications were significantly lower in the non-lymphadenectomy compared to the lymphadenectomy groups. However, five-years disease-free and overall survival were not significantly different (77.3% vs 81.3%, p = 0.586 and 87.5% vs 78%, p = 0.479, respectively).

Conclusions: Laparoscopic approach and omission of lymphadenectomy are worthy policies in the morbidly obese endometrial cancer patients.