SUMMARY
Objective: To examine our initial experience with robotic total hysterectomy and evaluate operation related outcomes.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 16 consecutive patients who underwent robotic total hysterectomy between December 2015 and August 2016 in our clinic.Results: Robotic total hysterectomy was performed for benign indications in 13 (81.25%) patients, endometrial cancer in two patients (12.5%), microinvasive cervical cancer in one patient (6.25%). The mean age of patients was 48.7 ± 6.5 years, parity was 2.8 ± 1.7, body mass index was 28.2 ± 4.6 kg/m2, preoperative hemoglobin levels was 11.6 ± 1.0 g/dl, postoperative hemoglobin levels 10.3 ± 1.0 g/dl, operation time was 162.2 ± 39.4 minutes, docking time was 7.3 ± 3.3 minutes, console time was 147 ± 37.0 minutes, uterine weight was 178.8 ± 98.5 g and duration of hospital stay was 3.6 ± 1.8 days. Blood transfusion was administered to three patients in the postoperative period. One patient was converted to laparotomy because of poor visualization of pelvic structures by a large uterus. No intraoperative complication was encountered. Postoperative complications were limited to one patient with asthma who had fever on the first day following surgery.Conclusion: The results of robotic total hysterectomy is satisfactory for both patient and surgeon. Following the completion of the learning curve, robotic total hysterectomy could be an important alternative method for laparoscopic hysterectomy. However, the installation of robotic systems, operating and maintenance costs still remain as crucial limitations for the widespread use of robotic surgery.