Outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic surgery for benign gynaecological disease: a systematic review

Myriam Jerbaka, Antonio Simone Laganà, Stamatios Petousis, Georges Mjaess, Amal Ayed, Fabio Ghezzi, Sanjia Terzic, Zaki Sleiman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Benign gynaecological diseases are usually treated with minimally invasive approaches. Robotic surgery seems an alternative to laparoscopic surgery. No definitive conclusions have yet been made regarding comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for benign diseases. In this scenario, we performed a systematic review in order to assess the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopy versus robotic surgery and conclude whether laparoscopy should be replaced by robotic surgery for the treatment of benign gynaecological conditions, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Statement. We included 64 studies: no significant difference was observed regarding overall complication rate; no significant benefit of robotic approach was demonstrated regarding length of hospital stay and conversion to laparotomy; furthermore, robotic surgery is more easily used by non-experienced surgeons, while it is more expensive and characterised by longer operative time. In conclusion, current evidence indicates neither statistically significant nor clinically meaningful differences in surgical outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic surgeries for benign gynaecological diseases. Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Benign gynaecological diseases are usually treated with minimally invasive approaches. Nevertheless, no definitive conclusions have yet been made regarding comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for benign diseases. What do the results of this study add? No significant difference was observed regarding overall complication rate; no significant benefit of robotic approach was demonstrated regarding length of hospital stay and conversion to laparotomy; furthermore, robotic surgery is more easily used by non-experienced surgeon, while it is more expensive and characterised by longer operative time. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Robotic surgery should not replace laparoscopy for the treatment of benign gynaecological conditions; in addition, gynaecologic surgeon should offer robotic surgery for benign diseases only after a proper counselling and a balanced decision-making process involving the patient.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1635-1641
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume42
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • benign gynaecological diseases
  • Laparoscopy
  • robotic surgery
  • surgical outcomes
  • systematic review

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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