Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometrial Cancer: Survey of Practice among Thai Gynecologic Oncologists
Tiyayon J, MD1, Chanpanitkitchot S, MD1, Kietpeerakool C, MD1, Pataradool K, MD2, Yanaranop M, MD, PhD1, Tangjitgamol S, MD2, Thai Gynecologic Cancer Society (TGCS)3
Affiliation : 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Thai Gynecologic Cancer Society, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To elucidate the current practice of laparoscopic surgery in endometrial cancer obtained from the Thai Gynecologic
Cancer Society (TGCS) Survey.
Materials and Methods : The present study was a part of the national practice survey by the Thai Gynecologic cancer Society on the
management of gynecologic cancer. All Thai Gynecologic Oncologists were invited to respond to the web-based online survey
which was opened from August to October, 2019. Data regarding the practice of laparoscopic surgery in endometrial cancer were
abstracted and analyzed.
Results : Of 170 respondents, 60 (35.3%) reported performing laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer. Nine (15.0%) performed
laparoscopic surgery in all patients whereas the remaining applied some criteria for patient selection. Significantly higher
percentages of respondents who worked in training hospitals or who had worked for >5 years performed laparoscopic surgery
compared to the respondents from a non-training hospital or had shorter practice duration: 44.2% versus 26.2% (p = 0.014) for
the hospital setting and 45.5% versus 21.1% (p = 0.001) for the duration of practice, respectively. The financial issue was the most
common barrier for laparoscopic surgery reported in this survey (81.7%).
Conclusion : Only one-third of the Thai gynecologic oncologists performed laparoscopic surgery in treatment for endometrial cancer
patients. The procedure was performed more frequently among the respondents working in a training hospital or who had a longer
duration of work.
Keywords : Uterine neoplasm, Laparoscopy, Minimally invasive surgery, Practice, Survey
