Laparoscopy Versus Laparotomy for The Staging of Early Stage Ovarian Cancer: Surgical Outcomes

Author(s): Zeiad Gad

Background: There is no evidence-based data evaluating the profits and harms of laparoscopy for the surgical treatment of early stage ovarian cancer. Objective: To compare the surgical and oncological outcomes between laparoscopy and laparotomy staging for early-stage ovarian cancer. Methods: This case-control study consisted of 15 women undergoing comprehensive laparoscopic surgical staging (LPS group) for apparently EOC. The control group included 15 women who underwent surgical staging by traditional open laparotomy (LPT group). Demographic data, detailed surgical procedures data, and all intra and postoperative details were documented and compared in between both groups.  Results: Our results showed no difference in the basic patients characteristics and preoperative variables in between both groups. Operative time was significantly longer (P=0.005), and the amount of blood loss was higher in the LPT group (P=0.025). Intraoperative rupture of the ovarian mass happened in 3 (20%) cases in the LPS group and in 2 (13.3%) cases in the LPT group (P=0.531). Conversion to laparotomy has been done in 2 cases (13.3%). There was no other reported intraoperative complication in the LPS group. Following the procedure, the time needed for initiation of diet was nearly equal (P=0.457). While, the time needed for drain removal and the mean hospital stay were longer in the LPT group compared with the LPS group (P=0.048 and <0.001 respectively). Limitation: small sample size and lack of follow-up period. Conclusion: In early stage ovarian cancer, laparoscopic staging achieved by a well-trained, skilled surgeon has comparable surgical outcomes to laparotomy.