• cervical cancer
• gynecologic surgical procedures
• hysterectomy

A battery of analyses of the LACC trial has now added additional information that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer is not associated with improved quality of life after surgery compared with open radical hysterectomy.1–3 Taken together with the prior principal findings of the LACC trial including (1) increased risk of disease recurrence/death and (2) similar peri-operative morbidity in minimally invasive versus open radical hysterectomy,2 3 the study team recommended that gynecologic oncologists perform open radical hysterectomy for women with early cervical cancer.1 Because comparable survival, reduced surgical adverse events, and improved quality of life were the expected premise for performance of minimally invasive over open surgery, failure to demonstrate these three outcome measures argues against the utilization of a minimally invasive approach for cervical cancer treatment.

Another pertinent outcome metric to assess the comparative effectiveness of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy may be a financial one. A recent United States population-based study reported that while length of hospital stay for radical hysterectomy performed for early cervical cancer is shorter with a minimally invasive versus an open approach (1.9 vs 4.3 days), the inpatient cost for surgical and post-operative treatment is higher with robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy compared with open radical hysterectomy (robotic-assisted $14 029, traditional laparoscopic $12 873, and open $12 624).4 The cost was even higher when the minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was coverted to open ($17 036). Because robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy represents the majority of minimally invasive radical hysterectomies,5 higher treatment cost related to this treatment approach may result in a financial burden as a whole.

Altogether, given the existing data on these four aspects (survival, peri-operative complications, quality of life, and financial considerations), it is difficult to conclude that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy is of significant benefit in the treatment of early cervical cancer. Decreased survival outcomes with minimally invasive radical hysterectomy, which were demonstrated in a recent meta-analysis of 15 studies, are particularly concerning.6 As endorsed by the study team, it is paramount to be aware that open radical hysterectomy is the gold standard surgical treatment for women with early cervical cancer.