Open Access

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for surgical treatment of obese women with endometrial cancer: A cost‑benefit comparative analysis

  • Authors:
    • Vito Andrea Capozzi
    • Giulio Sozzi
    • Giulia Gambino
    • Alessandra Cianciolo
    • Matteo Riccò
    • Luciano Monfardini
    • Michela Gaiano
    • Vito Chiantera
    • Stefano Uccella
    • Roberto Berretta
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 22, 2019     https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2019.1901
  • Pages: 335-342
  • Copyright: © Capozzi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the cost of obese patients affected by endometrial cancer undergoing open surgery compared with minimally invasive surgery. In the retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II‑2), the economic expenditure in pre‑operative, intra‑operative and post‑operative phases of the selected patients was evaluated. Costs were analyzed for all blood tests, instrumental examinations, consultations, operating materials, drugs, gynecological examinations, hospital stay, intensive care hospitalization and management of operative complications. The average length of stay was longer for patients who underwent laparotomy, with an almost double median hospitalization cost in the open abdominal group compared with the laparoscopic group (€4,805.37 vs. €2,589.25; P<0.0001). Evaluation by another specialist (cardiologist, diabetologist, internist) was necessary in 30.9% of laparotomies vs. 10.4% of laparoscopies (P=0.003). A respiratory support was applied to 38 patients (28.8%), of whom 23 (41.8%) were in the open abdominal arm (P=0.011). Antibiotic and pain‑relief therapies resulted in a significantly higher cost for the open abdominal than for the minimally‑invasive approach (P=0.027). Considering all the pre‑, intra‑ and post‑operative course, the expenses for an obese patient operated by laparoscopy was €4,412.41 vs. €7,323.17 by open surgery, with an average saving of €2,911.03 in favor of minimally‑invasive surgery. This study revealed that in obese patients with endometrial cancer, minimally invasive surgery is more advantageous both in terms of costs and post‑operative complications. To conclude, laparoscopic surgery in obese patients allows an economic saving of ~60% less than open surgery.

Introduction

Obesity represents a major health problem: Its incidence is growing all over the world and it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart attack, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis and several cancers (1).

Worldwide, the number of obese people has doubled since 1980: In 2014, over 1.9 billion adults were overweight, including over 600 million obese (1). Data referring to the year 2013 show that in Europe over 50% of the adult population was overweight and over 20% was obese (2). The Italian Public Report on National Health shows that in 2015, more than a third of the adult population (35.3%) was overweight, and 9.8% of persons were obese; of note, the percentage of excess-weight population increases with age, and in the Italian context, overweight and obesity increase from 14 and 2.3% at 18–24 years of age to 46 and 15.3% in the category of patients between 65–74 years, respectively (3). In a cross-sectional analysis, Arterburn et al reported that morbid obesity (BMI≥40 kg/m2) is associated with an 81% greater health care expenditure per capita compared with normal weight adults in the US, with an excess of more than 11 billion dollars spent per year (4). Moreover, obesity is actually associated with huge indirect costs, due to the co-existence of several co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular problems), need for intense preoperative assessments, perioperative complications, conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery, intensive postoperative care (IPC), higher treatment costs and reduced recurrence-free survival (5,6). Obesity is now considered a global epidemic; in a society that is increasingly trying to reduce health-care expenses, it is essential to analyze the costs associated with the management of these patients.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy in Western countries and most of these tumors are associated with obesity (7,8). As a consequence, the increasing prevalence of obesity translates into a growth in the incidence of endometrial cancer. Since the early ′90 sec, several authors have reported their experience with laparoscopic treatment of clinical stage I endometrial cancer (911). After the publication of the results of the LAP-2 trial, laparoscopy has become the elective treatment for this malignancy, due to the more favorable complication rates, the shorter hospital stay and the similar oncological outcomes, compared to open surgery (12).

From a surgical point of view the obese woman turns out to be a complex patient; in fact, the laparoscopic learning curve is harsher than for normal-weight subjects, especially when lymphadenectomy is to be performed (13,14). Some studies report that in 10% of cases the obese patient is inoperable for the presence of medical comorbidities and in ~20% of cases the affected woman is under-staged due to surgical complexity (1517).

Robotic surgery has been proposed to overcome some of the difficulties in operating obese patients, maintaining the same benefits of laparoscopic surgery and providing a better exposure of the operative field, although it may be disadvantageous with respect to economic considerations (18).

Although several studies have investigated costs of laparoscopic vs. open approach for endometrial cancer, very few data are available in selected population of patients, such as obese women (1922).

The aim of this study has been to evaluate pre-, intra- and post-operative costs in obese women affected by endometrial cancer comparing laparoscopic vs. open abdominal surgery. As a secondary outcome, we evaluated the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery in obese women analyzing intraoperative, early and late postoperative complications, in comparison with open surgery.

Patients and methods

The present study represents a retrospective analysis of the oncological database of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the University Hospital of Parma from January 2007 to December 2017. Five-hundred-forty patients underwent surgery for endometrial cancer in the study period. Of them, 132 (24.4%) were obese (BMI≥30). These subjects were included in the study and they were divided into two groups (laparoscopic and open abdominal), according to the initial surgical approach. Patients were stratified into the four different classes of obesity [class I (<35), class II (<40), class III (<45), class IV (>45) (23,24)]. Patients characteristics are shown in Table I.

Table I.

Patient demographics (N=132).

Table I.

Patient demographics (N=132).

All patientsLaparoscopyLaparotomy



Characteristicsn=132n=77 (58.3%)n=55 (41.7%)P-value
Age (years)65.466.064.60.430
Menopause118 (89.4%)72 (93.5%)46 (83.6%)0.069
Age of menopause (years)51.451.151.80.389
Body mass index (kg/m2)35.935.836.20.683
<3570 (53.0%)41 (53.2%)29 (52.7%)0.951
35–4034 (25.8%)19 (24.7%)15 (27.3%)
41–4519 (14.4%)11 (14.3%)8 (14.5%)
>459 (6.8%)6 (7.8%)3 (5.5%)
Comorbidity112 (84.8%)66 (85.7%)46 (83.6%)0.743
Hypertension93 (70.5%)58 (75.3%)35 (63.6%)0.147
Diabetes44 (33.3%)21 (27.3%)23 (41.8%)0.081
Cardiovascular diseases30 (22.7%)13 (16.9%)17 (30.9%)0.058
Hypothyroidism27 (20.5%)22 (28.9%)5 (9.1%)0.006
Metabolic syndrome27 (20.5%)17 (22.1%)10 (18.2%)0.584
Chronic pulmonary disease2 (1.5%)1 (1.3%)1 (1.8%)0.810
Hemiplegia or paraplegia2 (1.5%)1 (1.3%)1 (1.8%)0.810
Hyperthyroidism2 (1.5%)0, -2 (3.6%)0.092
HBV/HCV/HIV2 (1.5%)1 (1.3%)1 (1.8%)0.810
Mutation of Leiden V factor1 (0.8%)1 (1.3%)0, -0.396
Nephrolithiasis1 (0.8%)1 (1.3%)0, -0.396
Neurological disease1 (0.8%)1 (1.3%)0, -0.396
ASA score
255 (41.7%)33 (50.0%)22 (40.7%)0.311
365 (49.2%)33 (50.0%)32 (59.3%)

Before December 2015, lymphadenectomy was performed in case of grade 2–3 disease and/or myometrial invasion >50%. After December 2015, lymph node dissection was accomplished in selected cases according to the ESGO-ESMO-ESTRO consensus conference recommendations (25).

The patients were operated by laparoscopy or open surgery according to the preference and experience of the surgeons involved. Two expert oncologist surgeon gynecologists were included during the study period.

Preoperative phase

Medical history and clinical characteristics were collected in all patients pre-operatively. Preoperative work-up included blood tests, electrocardiogram, blood gas analysis and Total Body CT scan. In case of comorbidities, further examinations and consultations were requested such as spirometry, echocardiogram, lower limb eco-Doppler, chest X-ray, urine test, cardiology, endocrinology or internal medicine counseling.

Operative technique

Access into the abdominal cavity was obtained using a 10-mm optical trocar inserted transumbilically. Pneumoperitoneum was maintained at 12 mm Hg. Three 5 mm ancillary trocars were inserted in the suprapubic area. All patients underwent class. A Hysterectomy according to Q-M classification (26) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy were performed, depending on the case as previously specified. In selected cases, suspension of the sigmoid and cecum was accomplished to obtain a better exposure of the operative field. A Rumi uterine manipulator was used (27). The maximum Trendelemburg tolerated by the patient was applied.

Laparotomy was performed with a vertical midline incision. The surgical steps resembled those of laparoscopic surgery.

Postoperative phase

The days of hospitalization, intensive care admission, number of blood tests and blood counts, use of thromboembolism therapy (elastic stockings and/or low molecular weight heparin), early postoperative complications (within 30 days from surgery) and late (over 30 days from surgery), request for specialist advice, possible oxygen therapy, instrumental examinations, possible antibiotic therapy, pain reliever type, were analyzed for both groups. Complications were classified according to the glossary of Chassagne and colleagues (28).

Analysis of costs

In order to make a comprehensive and precise cost analysis, we considered the single cost of each day spent in the different units (gynecology department and intensive care unit) and they were added to the cost of the surgery (laparoscopy vs. laparotomy) and all the single drug administrations (ie. type of medication received, number of actual administrations), other specialists' consultations, blood samples, imaging exams.

Regarding operative devices such as multifunction instruments, the total cost of all the single pieces used was calculated and then the average per capita expenditure was obtained.

All costs are expressed in euros (€). They are updated to December 2017 and refer to the University Hospital of Parma in Emilia Romagna, Italy.

The costs of each benefit were provided by the General Directorate of the Hospital-University of Parma and the costs were adjusted for inflation. No reimbursement was asked to the patients, and the total cost was borne by the hospital-University of Parma.

In order to obtain a more complete and closer to reality estimate of the cost of an obese patient, the pre-operative costs were also included, although clearly these do not depend on the surgical approach but on the patient's comorbidities.

Statistical analysis

Continuous variables have been described as mean ± standard deviation (DS). The same variables were initially analyzed with D'Agostino-Pearson tests to explore the distribution compared to a normal population. In the case of a test result with a value of P>0.100, the variables were considered normally distributed, and the comparison between them was performed with the Student's t test or or one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post-hoc test, where appropriate. In the case of a test result with a value of P<0.100, the population was considered not normally distributed, and consequently the comparison was performed using statistical tests independent of variance, i.e. determination of the Mann-Whitney U or Wilcoxon's signed rank test, where appropriate.

The categorical variables have been described as percentages and compared with a chi-square test with Yates correction due to the limited number of subjects. A value of P=0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Results

Of the 132 obese patients selected, 77 (58.3%) underwent laparoscopy and 55 (41.3%) laparotomy. The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 65.4 years.

The patients' demographic characteristics are shown in Table I. The average body mass index (BMI) was 35.9 kg/m2 (range 30.08–60.97 kg/m2). Class I, II, III and IV of obesity were present in 53.2 vs. 52.7%, 24.7 vs. 27.3%, 14.3 vs. 14.5%, and 7.8 vs. 5.5% for the laparoscopic vs. open abdominal groups, respectively.

The most frequent comorbidity reported was hypertension (70.56%), followed by diabetes (44.33%), cardiovascular disease (22.7%), metabolic syndrome (20.5%) and hypothyroidism (20.5%). The latter condition was significantly more frequent in the open abdominal than in the laparoscopic group (P=0.006). In 68.2% of the cases, endometrial cancer occurred at stage IA disease and in 65.2% the neoplasms were graded G1. Of the 90 patients diagnosed at stage IA, 62 (68.9%) underwent laparoscopic surgery and 28 (31.1%) open abdominal surgery with a statistically significant difference in the distribution within the two groups (P=0.002). Stage and grading in the two groups are shown in Table II.

Table II.

Tumors staging and grading.

Table II.

Tumors staging and grading.

All patientsLaparoscopyLaparotomy



Variablen=132n=77 (58.3%)n=55 (41.7%)P-value
Staging 0.002
  IA90 (68.2%)62 (80.5%)28 (50.9%)
  IB29 (22.0%)12 (15.6%)17 (30.9%)
  II4 (3.0%)0 (%)4 (7.3%)
  III3 (2.3%)2 (2.6%)1 (1.8%)
  IV6 (4.5%)1 (1.3%)5 (9.1%)
Grading 0.081
  G186 (65.2%)56 (72.7%)30 (54.5%)
  G233 (25.0%)16 (20.8%)17 (30.9%)
  G313 (9.8%)5 (6.5%)8 (14.5%)
Pre-operative phase

Chest X-ray (P<0.001), lower limb eco-Doppler (P=0.047) and chemical urinalysis (P<0.001) were required more often in the open surgery group. In terms of costs, the median expenditure per patient was €1.93 vs. €12.85 for X-ray, €9.12 vs. €15.96 for eco-Doppler and €0.74 vs. €2.4 for chemical examination of urine in the laparoscopic and open abdominal groups respectively.

The median total cost of pre-operative examinations for each single patient was €11.79 and €31.21 in the laparoscopic and open abdominal groups, respectively, with a difference of €19.42 in favor of the laparoscopic group.

Intra-operative phase

Intraoperative details are shown in Table III. Operative time was shorter in the laparoscopic group. A statistical analysis of the average hourly cost of the operating room was not performed because the University Hospital of Parma is a public facility and it doesn't influence the overall cost of the operation.

Table III.

Intraoperative phase.

Table III.

Intraoperative phase.

All patientsLaparoscopyLaparotomy



Characteristicsn=132n=77 (58.3%)n=55 (41.7%)P-value
Operative time (min)156.8117.0212.5<0.001
Intraoperative complications20 (15.2%)10 (13.0%)10 (18.2%)0.566
Use of drainage105 (79.5%)50 (64.9%)55 (100%)<0.001
Placement of central venous catheters18 (13.6%)4 (5.2%)14 (25.5%)0.001
Use of intraoperative drugs11 (8.3%)7 (9.0%)4 (7.2%)0.413

At the University Hospital of Parma, the instrumentation and the surgical materials used during the laparoscopic procedures performed costed €511.27 compared to €420.36 for laparotomy.

Of the 56 patients undergoing lymphadenectomy, 20 patients were submitted to laparoscopy and 36 (with lumboaortic lymphadenectomies) to laparotomy (P<0.001). Cost of lymphadenectomy has been included as part of the overall costs of the surgical procedure itself.

The need for peritoneal drainage was lower in the laparoscopic group (64.9 vs. 100%), with a median cost per capita of €7.63 vs. €11.75.

Overall, 5.2% of patients operated by laparoscopy required placement of a central venous catheter, compared to 25.5% of patients who underwent laparotomy (P=0.001), with a median cost of €3.11 vs. €15.24, respectively.

Total intraoperative cost for laparoscopy and laparotomy was €755.09 and €969.13, respectively, with an excess of €214.04 in the laparotomy group.

No difference was found in terms of intraoperative complications (vascular, bladder or intestinal lesions) between the two groups (13 vs. 18.2% in the laparoscopic and open abdominal group, respectively; P=0.566).

Post-operative phase

Details of the postoperative course are provided in Table IV. The average length of stay was longer for patients operated by laparotomy: 9.4 days compared to 5.1 days for patients operated by laparoscopy (P=0.683). This implied an almost double median hospitalization cost in the open abdominal group compared to the laparoscopic group (€4805.37 vs. €2589.25; P<0.0001).

Table IV.

Post-operative phase.

Table IV.

Post-operative phase.

All patientsLaparoscopyLaparotomy



Variablen=132n=77 (58.3%)n=55 (41.7%)P-value
Hospital stay (days)6.95.19.40.683
Critical care unit (any access)18 (13.6%)7 (9.1%)11 (20.0%)0.072
Total blood count (number)2.92.13.8<0.001
Blood trasfusion9 (6.8%)1 (1.3%)8 (14.5%)0.003
Thromboembolism therapy131 (99.2%)77 (100%)54 (98.2%)0.232
Early complications (<30 days)50 (37.9%)18 (23.4%)32 (58.2%)<0.001
Late complications (>30 days)18 (13.6%)7 (9.1%)11 (20.0%)0.072
Medical consultations25 (18.9%)8 (10.4%)17 (30.9%)0.003
Respiratory support (any)38, 28.8%15, 19.5%23 (41.8%)0.011
Antibiotic therapy12 (9.1%)6 (7.8%)6 (10.9%)0.539
Pain reliever therapies
  Naropine12 (9.1%)1 (1.3%)11 (20.0%)<0.001
  Ketoprophene45 (34.1%)20 (26.0%)25 (45.5%)0.020
  Morphine28 (21.2%)8 (10.4%)20 (36.4%)<0.001
  Toradol43 (32.6%)32 (41.6%)11 (20.0%)0.009
  Perfalgan91 (68.9%)62 (80.5%)29 (52.7%)0.001
CT scan7 (5.3%)1 (103%)6 (10.9%)0.015
EEG34 (25.8%)27 (49.1%)7 (9.1%)<0.001
Chest X-ray20 (15.2%)4 (5.2%)16 (29.1%)<0.001

[i] CT, computed tomography scan; ECG, electrocardiography.

Eighteen patients required intensive care hospitalization. The median cost per capita was €233.08 for laparoscopy and €512.78 for laparotomy (P=0.090).

Of the 9 total patients who required a transfusion of concentrated red cells, 8 were part of the open abdominal group. The average expenditure per patient in terms of blood bags transfused was €39.49 for the open abdominal arm compared to €3.53 in the laparoscopic group (P=0.003). The hemoglobin drop was 0.5 g/dl in the open abdominal group vs. 0.3 g/dl in the laparoscopic group. Also the number of blood tests (P<0.001), blood count (P<0.001), hemogasanalysis (P=0.001), tests of hemostatic control function (P<0.001) were higher in the open abdominal group. Table IV shows that postoperative electrocardiogram (P<0.001), CT scan (P=0.034), and chest X-ray (P<0.001) were more frequent in the open abdominal arm with a consequent increase of the costs per capita.

Evaluation by another specialist (cardiologist, diabetologist, internist) was necessary in 30.9% of laparotomies vs. 10.4% of laparoscopies (P=0.003), with an expense of €18.71 vs. €11. 45 respectively.

A respiratory support was applied to 38 patients (28.8%), of whom 23 (41.8%) were in the open abdominal arm (P=0.011). Oxygen therapy entailed a medical health expenditure of €4.05 in the open abdominal group vs. €2.97 of minimally invasive surgery. No difference in costs was shown in the antithrombotic prophylaxis in the two arms, with a median cost of €37.88.

No significant difference was found also in terms of post-operative antibiotic therapy. Considering pain control, after laparotomy the most used drugs were Morphine (36.4%), Ropivacain (20%) and Ketoprofen (45.5%). Following laparoscopic surgery, the most frequently used drugs were Paracetamol (80.5%) and Ketorolac (41.6%). Antibiotic and pain-relief therapies resulted in a significantly higher cost for the open abdominal than for the minimally-invasive approach, with a cost for each patient of €5.40 vs. €3.71, respectively (P=0.027).

The cost of a single gynecological examination is €18.00. Thirty-two total gynecological checks were performed outside the standard follow-up visits. Twenty-three patients operated by laparotomy required extra gynecological post-operative controls, vs. 9 patients in the laparoscopic group. The average cost for post-operative gynecological check-ups was €7.53 and €2.10 for the open and laparoscopic groups, respectively.

Comparing the two surgical techniques, minimally invasive surgery appeared to be more advantageous in terms of post-operative overall costs, with an average cost of €3646.53 vs. €6322.83 in the open technique (P<0.0001). Therefore, median post-operative costs for single patient was €2676.30 higher in the laparotomy group.

Both early (P<0.01) and late (P=0.072) complications were more frequently observed in the open abdominal group, as shown in Table V. Among the early complications only the dehiscence of the surgical wound reached statistical significance (12.7% vs. no cases in the open and laparoscopic groups, respectively). The most frequent major postoperative complication was represented by incisional hernia [14.5% of patients who underwent laparotomy compared to 5.2% of patients who had laparoscopy (P=0.065)].

Table V.

Complications.

Table V.

Complications.

All patientsLaparoscopyLaparotomy



Early complications (any)n=132 (%)n=77 (58.3%)n=55 (41.7%)P-value
Respiratory distress15 (11.4)6 (7.8%)9 (16.4%)0.578
Hypertensive crisis10 (7.6)5 (6.5%)5 (9.1%)0.578
Anemia9 (6.8)4 (5.2%)5 (9.1%)0.397
Systemic infections4 (3.0)2 (2.6%)2 (3.6%)0.810
Deep vein thrombosis2 (1.5)0 (%)2 (3.6%)0.092
Surgical site infections3 (2.3)1 (1.3%)2 (3.6%)0.374
Surgical site dehiscence7 (5.3)0 (%)7 (12.7%)0.001
Late complications (any)18 (13.6)7 (9.1%)11 (20.0%)0.072
Laparocele/incisional hernia12 (9.1)4 (5.2%)8 (14.5%)0.065

[i] Early complications, within 30 days from surgery; Late complications, over 30 days from surgery.

Considering all the pre-, intra- and post-operative course, the expenses for an obese patient operated by laparoscopy was €4412.41 vs. €7323.17 by open surgery, with an average saving of €2911.03 in favor of minimally-invasive surgery (see Table VI).

Table VI.

Total costs (means).

Table VI.

Total costs (means).

All patientsLaparoscopyLaparotomy



Variablesn=132n=77 (58.3%)n=55 (41.7%)P-value
Hospital stay3512.632589.254805.37<0.0001
Operation costs477.26511.27420.36<0.0001
Critical care unit349.62233.08512.780.090
Medical consultations14.4711.4518.710.062
Blood exams214.2417.55269.82<0.0001
Deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis37.8838.9636.360.171
O2 therapy3.422.974.050.593
Drugs therapy4.413.715.400.027
Blood transfusion18.413.5339.490.010
Drainage9.357.6311.75<0.0001
Central venous access8.163.1115.240.002
X-ray9.582.9018.94<0.0001
MRI37.8032.4045.350.416
CT9.282.2719.100.034
ECG4.361.308.63<0.0001
Echocardiography7.827.388.450.745
Doppler lower limbs11.979,1215.960.055

[i] MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; CT, computed tomography scan; ECG, electrocardiography.

Discussion

As expected, in our series we observed a median excess expenditure of €2911.03 per capita for obese patients operated by laparotomy compared to laparoscopy. Therefore, the present study shows that minimally invasive surgery is more advantageous both in terms of costs and of patients' outcomes, compared to traditional open surgery.

The results obtained in our study are in line with others that have reported an economic advantage when using a laparoscopic technique (18,19,27,29). While most of the previous studies have analyzed the difference between the costs of obese patients compared to non-obese patients or laparoscopy compared to laparotomy in the overall populations, our study compares the two surgical approaches analyzing only the subset of obese patients. Even more importantly, our study has the merit of a detailed and comprehensive evaluation of all the direct and indirect costs connected to the different surgical procedures.

An important aspect of our analysis is that the demographic distribution of our patients is homogeneous in the two groups in terms of comorbidity, age, BMI classes, menopausal status and ASA score.

The cost analysis was divided into the pre-, intra- and post-operative phases to better understand in which setting there is a greater expense in one vs. the other technique. These data may allow a better understanding regarding the possibility of improving the management of these specific patients.

As expected, expenditure in the preoperative phase is almost superimposable in the two groups, given the similar demographic characteristics of the patients included. In the intra- and post-operative phase, the major economic differences were mainly due to the increased of laparotomy and to the higher incidence of postoperative complications and admission to intensive care unit in the open abdominal technique.

As a secondary aim of the present study we observed, in line with the LAP2 study, that laparoscopy turns out to be a safe surgical technique in terms of intraoperative and postoperative complications (12). Pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 56 total patients, 20 were patients in the laparoscopic group and 34 in the open group. Only 2 patients underwent aortic lymphadenectomy and were included in the traditional abdominal surgery. This may reflect the fact that 80.5% of the patients in the laparoscopic group had stage IA disease vs. 50.9% in the open abdominal group. Of course, this finding may be associated with an inherent selection bias of our retrospective study, i.e. the tendency to operate by open surgery patients at a more advanced stage.

Regarding the other possible limitations of our study, we mention its retrospective nature, the very long study period (with a wide variation in terms of implementation of laparoscopic techniques) and the fact that the choice regarding the surgical approach, was made at surgeons' discretion. Nonetheless, in a secondary analysis based on the intention-to-treat principle, we observed that still laparoscopy was associated with a saving of > €2500 per patient.

On the other hand, our study has also several merits: It should be stressed that we selected only obese patients, thus providing more focused and useful data, in a population of patients which is rapidly increasing. Patients with a similar incidence of comorbidities were included in the two groups. Surgical techniques have been standardized and only two surgeons (with extensive background in gynecologic oncologic surgery) were involved. Finally, our cost-analysis has been extremely thorough and detailed, and allowed us to provide reliable and realistic data.

In conclusion, this study demonstrates that minimally invasive techniques are preferable to open surgery both in terms of cost per patient and in terms of peri-operative complications in the setting of obese patients. For every woman operated by laparoscopy at the university of Parma more almost 3000 EUR have been saved compared to laparotomy. These findings should be taken into account in an era in which technological innovations have to be balanced against a strong attention to health care costs.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

No funding was recevied.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Authors' contributions

VAC, GS, RB, VC and SU were involved in conceptualization of the study. GG, AC, LM, MG were invovled in the data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. MR was invovled in the interpretation of data and statistical analysis. All authors read and approved the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the research in ensuring that the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Project 266/2018/OSS/AOUPR was considered exempt on May 18, 2018 by the Partners HealthCare IRB.

Patient consent for publication

All participants gave their consent to the use of personal data for scinetific purposes.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References

1 

NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), . Worldwide trends in body-mass index, underweight, overweight, and obesity from 1975 to 2016: A pooled analysis of 2416 population-based measurement studies in 128·9 million children, adolescents and adults. Lancet. 390:2627–2642. 2017. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

2 

Wold Health Organization: WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission. Methodology and summary. World Health Organization; Copenhagen: 2013

3 

Osservasalute Report: State of health and quality of assistance in the Italian regions, 2016. https://www.osservatoriosullasalute.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ro-2016.pdfSeptember 5–2018

4 

Arterburn DE, Maciejewski ML and Tsevat J: Impact of morbid obesity on medical expenditures in adults. Int J Obes (Lond). 29:334–339. 2005. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

5 

Uccella S, Bonzini M, Palomba S, Fanfani F, Ceccaroni M, Seracchioli R, Vizza E, Ferrero A, Roviglione G, Casadio P, et al: Impact of obesity on surgical treatment for endometrial cancer: A multicenter study comparing laparoscopy vs. open surgery, with propensity-matched analysis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 23:53–61. 2016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

6 

Obermair A, Brennan DJ, Baxter E, Armes JE, Gebski V and Janda M: Surgical safety and personal costs in morbidly obese, multimorbid patients diagnosed with early-stage endometrial cancer having a hysterectomy. Gynecol Oncol Res Pract. 3:12016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

7 

Sankaranarayanan R and Ferlay J: Worldwide burden of gynaecological cancer: The size of the problem. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 20:207–225. 2006. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

8 

Siegel R, Ma J and Jemal A: Cancer statistics, 2014. CA Cancer J Clin. 64:9–29. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

9 

Ghezzi F, Cromi A, Uccella S, Siesto G, Zefiro F and Bolis P: Incorporating laparoscopy in the practice of a gynecologic oncology service: Actual impact beyond clinical trials data. Ann Surg Oncol. 16:2305–2314. 2009. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

10 

Gueli Alletti S, Rossitto C, Cianci S, Restaino S, Costantini B, Fanfani F, Fagotti A, Cosentino F and Scambia G: Telelap ALF-X vs. standard laparoscopy for the treatment of early-stage endometrial cancer: A single-institution retrospective cohort study. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 23:378–383. 2016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

11 

Rossitto C, Gueli Alletti S, Rotolo S, Cianci S, Panico G and Scambia G: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy using a percutaneous surgical system: A pilot study towards scarless surgery. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Gynecol Reprod Biol. 203:132–135. 2016. View Article : Google Scholar

12 

Walker JL, Piedmonte MR, Spirtos NM, Eisenkop SM, Schlaerth JB, Mannel RS, Spiegel G, Barakat R, Pearl ML and Sharma SK: Laparoscopy compared with laparotomy for comprehensive surgical staging of uterine cancer: Gynecologic oncology group study LAP2. J Clin Oncol. 27:5331–5336. 2009. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

13 

Gehrig PA, Cantrell LA, Shafer A, Abaid LN, Mendivil A and Boggess JF: What is the optimal minimally invasive surgical procedure for endometrial cancer staging in the obese and morbidly obese woman. Gynecol Oncol. 111:41–45. 2008. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

14 

Uccella S, Cromi A, Bogani G, Casarin J, Formenti G and Ghezzi F: Systematic implementation of laparoscopic hysterectomy independent of uterus size: Clinical effect. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 20:505–516. 2013. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

15 

Onstad MA, Schmandt RE and Lu KH: Addressing the role of obesity in endometrial cancer risk prevention and treatment. J Clin Oncol. 34:4225–4230. 2016. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

16 

Eltabbakh GH, Shamonki MI, Moody JM and Garafano LL: Hysterectomy for obese women with endometrial cancer: Laparoscopy or laparotomy. Gynecol Oncol. 78:329–335. 2000. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

17 

Scribner DR Jr, Walker JL, Johnson GA, McMeekin DS, Gold MA and Mannel RS: Laparoscopic pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection in the obese. Gynecol Oncol. 84:426–430. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

18 

Elsahwi KS, Hooper C, De Leon MC, Gallo TN, Ratner E, Silasi DA, Santin AD, Schwartz PE, Rutherford TJ and Azodi M: Comparison between 155 cases of robotic vs. 150 cases of open surgical staging for endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncolc. 124:260–264. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar

19 

Lu Z, Yi X, Feng W, Ding J, Xu H, Zhou X and Hua K: Cost-benefit analysis of laparoscopic surgery versus laparotomy for patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer: Experience from an institute in China. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 38:1011–1017. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

20 

Spirtos NM, Schlaerth JB, Gross GM, Spirtos TW, Schlaerth AC and Ballon SC: Cost and quality-of-life analyses of surgery for early endometrial cancer: Laparotomy versus laparoscopy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 174:1795–1800. 1996. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

21 

Bell MC, Torgerson J, Seshadri-kreaden U, Wierda A and Hunt S: Comparison of outcomes and cost for endometrial cancer staging via traditional laparotomy standard laparoscopy and robotic techniques. Gynecol Oncol. 111:407–411. 2008. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

22 

Bijen CB, Vermeulen KM, Mourits MJ, Arts HJ, Ter Brugge HG, van der Sijde R, Wijma J, Bongers MY, van der Zee AG and de Bock GH: Cost effectiveness of laparoscopy versus laparotomy in early stage endometrial cancer: A randomised trial. Gynecol Oncol. 121:76–82. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

23 

World Health Organization, . Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation on Obesity Geneva: June 3-5–1997, https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/63854September 5–2018

24 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, . Obesity Education Initiative Expert Panel on the identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Obesity in Adults at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (ed.). National Institutes of Health; Bethesda MD: 1998

25 

Colombo N, Creutzberg C, Amant F, Bosse T, González-Martín A, Ledermann J, Marth C, Nout R, Querleu D, Mirza MR, et al: ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO Consensus conference on endometrial cancer: Diagnosis treatment and Follow-up. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 27:16–41. 2016.

26 

Querleu D and Morrow CP: Classification of radical hysterectomy. Lancet Oncol. 9:297–303. 2008. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

27 

Uccella S, Bonzini M, Malzoni M, Fanfani F, Palomba S, Aletti G, Corrado G, Ceccaroni M, Seracchioli R, Shakir F, et al: The effect of a uterine manipulator on the recurrence and mortality of endometrial cancer: A multi-centric study by the Italian society of gynecological endoscopy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 216:592.e1–592.e11. 2017. View Article : Google Scholar

28 

Chassagne D, Sismondi P, Horiot JC, Sinistrero G, Bey P, Zola P, Pernot M, Gerbaulet A, Kunkler I and Michel G: A glossary for reporting complications of treatment in gynecological cancers. Radiother Oncol. 26:195–202. 1993. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

29 

Suidan RS, He W, Sun CC, Zhao H, Fleming ND, Ramirez PT, Soliman PT, Westin SN, Lu KH, Giordano SH and Meyer LA: Impact of body mass index and operative approach on surgical morbidity and costs in women with endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia. Gynecol Oncol. 145:55–60. 2017. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

Related Articles

Journal Cover

October-2019
Volume 11 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 2049-9450
Online ISSN:2049-9469

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Capozzi VA, Sozzi G, Gambino G, Cianciolo A, Riccò M, Monfardini L, Gaiano M, Chiantera V, Uccella S, Berretta R, Berretta R, et al: Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for surgical treatment of obese women with endometrial cancer: A cost‑benefit comparative analysis. Mol Clin Oncol 11: 335-342, 2019.
APA
Capozzi, V.A., Sozzi, G., Gambino, G., Cianciolo, A., Riccò, M., Monfardini, L. ... Berretta, R. (2019). Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for surgical treatment of obese women with endometrial cancer: A cost‑benefit comparative analysis. Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 11, 335-342. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2019.1901
MLA
Capozzi, V. A., Sozzi, G., Gambino, G., Cianciolo, A., Riccò, M., Monfardini, L., Gaiano, M., Chiantera, V., Uccella, S., Berretta, R."Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for surgical treatment of obese women with endometrial cancer: A cost‑benefit comparative analysis". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 11.4 (2019): 335-342.
Chicago
Capozzi, V. A., Sozzi, G., Gambino, G., Cianciolo, A., Riccò, M., Monfardini, L., Gaiano, M., Chiantera, V., Uccella, S., Berretta, R."Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for surgical treatment of obese women with endometrial cancer: A cost‑benefit comparative analysis". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 11, no. 4 (2019): 335-342. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2019.1901