Background: This study aimed to assess the interest in robot-assisted laparoscopy for deep infiltrating endometriosis and to investigate the perioperative results.
Methods: From November 2008 to April 2012, 164 women with stage 4 endometriosis who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopy (da Vinci Intuitive Surgical System) were included by to eight international participating clinical centers. This study evaluated the procedures performed, the duration of the intervention, the complications, the recurrence, and the impact on fertility.
Results: The average operative time was 180 min. The main complications were laparotomy (n = 1, 0.6%), sutured bowel injury (n = 2, 1.2%), transfusion for a 2,300-ml bleed (n = 1), prolonged urinary catheterization (n = 1, 0.6%), ureter-bladder anastomotic leak (n = 1, 0.6%), and ureteral fistula after ureterolysis (n = 2, 1.2%). The reoperation rate was 1.8% (n = 3). The mean follow-up period was 10.2 months. A full recovery was experienced by 86.7% (98/113) of the patients. After surgery, 41.2% (42/102) of the patients had a desire for pregnancy, and 28.2% (11/39) of them became pregnant.
Conclusion: This study analyzed the largest series of robot-assisted laparoscopies for deep infiltrating endometriosis published in the literature. No increase in surgical time, blood loss, or intra- or postoperative complications was observed. The interest in robot-assisted laparoscopy for deep infiltrating endometriosis seems to be promising.