Article Text
PDF
Abstract
Introduction/Background*The study attempts to understand the impact of the different retrospective studies conducted by the SUCCOR group on the daily surgical practice among ESGO members.
We intend to propose a new observational prospective European study, the SUCCOP study. We aim to know if the implementation of protective maneuvers in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) improves the outcome of patients with early cervical cancer (ECC).
In this scenario, supported by the ESGO council, we have conducted a multinational survey to assess our ESGO members’ perspectives from the ethical and investigational viewpoints on this new observational prospective study.
Methodology A 32-item questionnaire addressing multiple issues related to the SUCCOR study and surgical management of ECC was designed and sent from the ESGO account through a newsletter on February 23rd to all ESGO members from 54 countries of the ESGO directory. The survey was completely confidentially and could be completed in less than 5 minutes. Responses from 353 members were obtained. Descriptive statistical analysis and frequency tables, as well as two-sided Fisher’s exact test, were used.
Result(s)*92.9% of responders were aware of the findings of the SUCCOR study. 73.4% expected the results obtained. 5 out of 10 of members confirmed that have changed their practice after the publication of the manuscript.
Currently, 34.8% of responders admit that they usually perform MIS (laparoscopy/robotic) for cervical tumours smaller than 2 cm, while for tumours larger than 2 cm (FIGO IB2) 15.1% state that they continue to carry out MIS. Between 63 and 64.1% apply protective maneuvers during this procedure. In ECC who have undergone conization, 56.1% would performed MIS for tumours smaller than 2 cm while only 30% would offer it for tumours larger than 2 cm.
Finally, 84.1% of ESGO members consider ethically acceptable the development of a new European prospective observational study (Image 1) to evaluate the surgical approach in ECC (IB1-IB2).
Conclusion*According to the ESGO members’ perspectives regarding the approach to ECC, it seems that MIS still has an important role to play, which should be evaluated in a new prospective study that reflects the European reality (Image 2).