The LACC trial (2018) changed the surgical management of early-stage cervical cancer. What was its KEY finding?

• A Robotic-assisted surgery reduced blood loss but increased recurrence rates
• B Laparoscopic surgery reduced lymphatic spread compared to open surgery
• C Open and laparoscopic radical hysterectomy had equivalent oncological outcomes
• D Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy had worse disease-free and overall survival than open surgery ✓

Explanation

The LACC (Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer) trial, published in NEJM 2018, demonstrated that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (laparoscopic or robotic) had a significantly lower disease-free survival (86% vs 96.5%) and overall survival compared to open abdominal radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer (stages IA1 with LVSI, IA2, IB1). This led to open surgery being re-established as the standard approach.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.