Laparoscopy vs. Robotic Surgery for Endometriosis (LAROSE): a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

This is a prospective randomized control trial. Study subjects will be recruited from patients that present to the Department of Gynecology who are to have surgery for endometriosis at the Cleveland Clinic.

Patient that require bowel resection and/or ureteral reanastomosis are not included due to the fact that these events impact operating time significantly and are not commonly performed as part of endometriosis surgery (subjects may not be equally distributed among both arms).

Eligible patients that agree to participate will be provided written informed consent administered by the collaborators listed on this Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the above clinic locations. In addition to a standardized evaluation including the history and physical examination, the patients will complete the validated health-related quality of life questionnaires SF-12 and Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) with additional questions to determine baseline pain and activity scales as well as daily pain medication use.

Surgeries will be performed by two board certified gynecologic surgeons (TF and JG). JG will participate in the laparoscopic arm of the study (Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center) while TF will participate in both arms (Cleveland Clinic main campus). The patients of JG randomized to robotic surgery will be performed by TF at Cleveland Clinic main campus.

Additionally, after the surgery, the patients will complete the above questionnaires as well as diaries addressing narcotic use and quality of life at 6 weeks and 6 months. Completion of questionnaires and diaries is the only additional assessment that is specific to participation in this study that is not usually included as part of the standard care for the treatment of endometriosis. It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete the questionnaires and less than 5 minutes each day to complete the diaries. The study subjects will not be exposed to any additional risk by participating in this study except for the inconvenience of completing the questionnaires and daily diaries.