Robotic surgery for ovarian cancers: individualization of the surgical approach to select ovarian cancer patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While well-accepted treatment for endometrial and cervical cancers, the role of robotic surgery in the management of primary and recurrent ovarian cancers remains an area of active study and debate. METHODS: Narrative review of the pertinent literature on the use of robotics in the treatment of ovarian cancers. RESULTS: The available evidence may indicate the feasibility of robotics for primary and secondary debulking of ovarian cancers. The use of robotics can be considered for the surgical treatment of patients requiring primary tumour excision, alone or with one additional major procedure, and patients with isolated recurrences. However, most of the publications are underpowered, retrospective, fail to provide sufficient data on long-term oncological outcomes and are published by highly skilled minimally invasive surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted surgery may provide a tool to individualize the surgical approach to select ovarian cancer patients. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.