Robotic surgery in ovarian cancer

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology 2023-08, Vol.90, p.102391-102391, Article 102391
• Main Authors: Gallotta, Valerio, Certelli, Camilla, Oliva, Riccardo, Rosati, Andrea, Federico, Alex, Loverro, Matteo, Lodoli, Claudio, Foschi, Nazario, Lathouras, Konstantinos, Fagotti, Anna, Scambia, Giovanni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Minimally invasive surgery; Ovarian cancer; Robotic surgery
• ISSN: 1521-6934; 1532-1932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102391

Ovarian cancer (OC) represents one of the most lethal cancers in women. The aim of surgical treatment is complete cytoreduction in advanced stages and a surgical staging in early stages. Although the guidelines still suggest laparotomy as the standard approach, in recent years minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become increasingly popular in the treatment of OC, especially in early stages, because the 5-year relative survival exceeds 90% and the patients’ quality of life cannot be overshadowed. However, MIS has been demonstrated to have a role even in advanced stages, in the prediction of optimal cytoreduction, identification patients who may benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and, more recently, in the interval debulking surgery, as in selected cases of secondary cytoreduction for recurrent ovarian cancer. The aim of this review is to describe the MIS (especially robotic surgery), with its advantages and pitfalls, in the treatment of OC. •Robotic approach can be safely used in well-selected patients with early-stage ovarian cancer.•Minimally invasive surgery is predominantly used to predict cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer.•The use of laparoscopy in interval debulking surgery is under investigation.•Patients with oligometastatic ovarian cancer recurrence may benefit from minimally invasive surgery.