Laparoscopy compared with laparotomy for comprehensive surgical staging of early ovarian cancer: Results of a retrospective multicenter case-control study.

Abstract

6067 Background: The objective of this study was to compare laparoscopy and laparotomy for comprehensive surgical staging of early ovarian cancer in terms of efficacy and oncologic safety. Methods: Patients who had laparoscopic staging for early stage (I/II) ovarian cancer between 01/2000 and 10/2018 at the participating sites (Gynecologic comprehensive cancer centers with respective expertise in minimal invasive surgery) were included in this retrospective case-control study. The control group consisted of all patients treated via laparotomy during the study period. Clinical data were abstracted from medical record and recent follow up information were obtained. Comparisons were made between patients regarding surgical parameters and oncologic outcome and multivariate models were used to identify factors independently associated with disease recurrence. Results: Among 313 patients, staging was performed via laparoscopy in 208 (66 %) patients and via laparotomy in 105 (34 %) patients. Patients staged laparoscopically were younger (median 52 (15-86) vs. 59 (17-92) vears, p≤0.01) and had a lower BMI (24.4 (16.5-46.8) vs. 26 (15.5-53.8), p≤0.01). Regarding surgical parameters, duration of surgery was longer (291 (159-778) vs. 277 (159-690) minutes, p≤0.01), postoperative hospitalization was shorter (7 (0-27) vs. 9 (0-92) days, p≤0.01) and postoperative complications were lower in the laparoscopy group. On univariate analysis there were no differences in rates of tumor stage according to FIGO, intraoperative rupture of ovarian cysts (14 % vs. 13 %, p=0.87), number of lymph nodes removed (24 (0-89) vs. 22 (0-96), p=0.81) or any recurrence of disease (14 % vs. 16 %, p=0.52). At a median follow-up of 46 months (0-227), there were no differences in DFS and OS by surgical technique (5yr DFS 82 % (SE 0.04) vs. 83 % (SE 0.05), p=0.43; OS 91 % (SE 0.03) vs. 87 % (SE 0.04), p=0.87). On multivariate analysis route of surgery was not associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Conclusions: According to this preliminary analysis, laparoscopic surgical staging in patients with early ovarian cancer seems to be adequate and safe, but a longer follow-up and prospective data are needed to enhance evidence on oncologic outcomes.