Turkey's experience of robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy: A series of 25 consecutive cases

Purpose: To present the outcomes of the first 25 robotic-assisted hysterectomies from Turkey. Method: A total of 25 patients who underwent robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RAH) for benign conditions were included in the study. Patients' demographics, surgical procedures, operative and postoperative complications, hospital stay, conversion to laparotomy, time data including all operative times, uterus weight and estimated blood loss (EBL) were recorded. All hysterectomies were American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists type IVE. Results: All hysterectomies were completed robotically with no conversion to laparotomy. The mean and range of the operating time were 104.1 and 47-176 min, respectively. The mean hysterectomy time was 40.5 min (range 14-77). The mean cuff incision time and cuff suturation time were 6.8 min (range 2-18) and 16.4 min (range 7-40), respectively. The mean set-up time was 30.4 min (range 17-41 min). The mean docking time was 4.3 min (range 2-9 min). The mean console time was 74.2 min (range 30-137). The mean and range of the anesthesia time were 133.8 min and 75-210 min, respectively. The averages of EBL and uterus weight were calculated as 38.2 cc and 221.9 g, respectively. Three complications occurred: one postoperative paralytic ileus and the others were peroperative vaginal cuff lacerations during the removal of the specimen through the vagina. Conclusion: Robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RAH) is feasible and safe for women with benign uterine pathologies, although it has limitations that may be overcome in the future. © Springer-Verlag 2009.