Impact of obesity on surgical and oncologic outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer treated with a robotic approach

Aim The surgical treatment of endometrial cancer (EC) can be more complicated in obese patients. Robotic surgery could simplify the surgical approach in these patients. The aim of our study was to compare the outcomes of robotic surgery in obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and nonobese patients. Methods We performed a retrospective study on patients with EC benefitting from a robotic approach in our institution. The primary outcome was the 5‐year overall survival (OS). We also assessed the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS), type of surgery, laparotomy conversion rate, adjuvant treatment and postoperative morbidity. Results We analyzed 175 consecutive patients with EC who underwent robotic surgery, 42 patients with obesity and 133 patients without. The median follow‐up length was 37 months [1–120]. The OS rate was 97% in the whole population and the RFS was 74%. Obesity did not impact prognosis. Laparotomy conversion rate was low in both groups (5% in patients with obesity vs 3%, P = 0.619). There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative complications (5 vs 9%, P = 0.738). There were significantly less pelvic lymphadenectomies in patients with obesity (5 vs 12%, P = 0.005). In the subgroup of patients with high‐risk EC, rate of lymphadenectomy and of adjuvant treatments did not differ between patients with or without obesity. Conclusion Obese patients with EC can be safely treated with a robotic approach, with a low complication rate and similar oncological outcomes compared to nonobese patients.