Factors in the feasibility and safety of outpatient robotic-assisted hysterectomy for endometrial or cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Identify factors influencing the feasibility and safety of outpatient robotic-assisted hysterectomy for endometrial or cervical carcinoma. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective chart review of patients who underwent robotic hysterectomy for cervical or endometrial cancer between 2012 and 2016 was performed. Outcomes were measured by length of stay (LOS), which was categorized as an admit-to-discharge time of >12 h or <12 h. Past medical history, surgical history, social history, patient demographics, intraoperative course, and postoperative events were examined as possible factors associated with LOS >12 h. These factors were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression. Readmission rates were compared between the two groups using an independent-samples t-test. RESULTS: Of the 254 patients, 150 (59.1%) had a LOS >12 h and 104 (40.9%) had a LOS < 12 h. The factors associated with a LOS >12 h (p < 0.05) included: Postoperative emesis, inadequate pain control, operating room (OR) time > 180 min, uterine mass > 150 g, start time after 15:00, history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), age > 75 years, body mass index (BMI) 35-40, and post-operative VTE formation. Patients discharged in <12-hours were not more likely than those discharged in >12-hours to be re-admitted (p = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Robotic hysterectomy for the treatment of endometrial and cervical carcinoma is both feasible and safe in the outpatient setting, as >40% of patients were successfully discharged within 12 h with no increase in readmission. Multiple risk factors were identified for extended hospitalization, offering potential for the development of a risk stratification model to improve the efficacy of outpatient robotic hysterectomy.