Safety and efficacy of synchronous panniculectomy and endometrial cancer surgery in obese patients: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of postoperative complications

Panniculectomy combined gynaecological surgery constitutes an alternative approach for endometrial cancer (EC) in obese patients. The present study aimed to accumulate the current knowledge on the safety and efficacy of combining panniculectomy in surgical management of EC. A total of 4 electronic databases were systematically searched for articles published up to May 2019. A total of 5 studies (2 non-comparative and 3 comparative) were included. Meta-analysis of complications among panniculectomy and conventional laparotomy group revealed no difference in complication rates (intraoperative or postoperative). Moreover, no difference was reported in surgical site complications (p=0.59), while wound breakdown rates were found significantly elevated in laparotomy group (p=0.02). Panniculectomy combined surgery for the management of EC is a safe procedure and presents comparable outcomes to those of conventional laparotomy with regards to complications and improved wound breakdown rates.