Quality of life and recovery in the early postoperative period after robotic hysterectomy vs. laparoscopic hysterectomy

Objective: Hysterectomy for benign uterine pathology is a common surgical procedure, with minimally invasive approaches preferred for better outcomes. While laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques offer advantages over open surgery, there is limited data comparing their early postoperative recovery and quality of life (QOL). This study evaluates and compares early postoperative outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic hysterectomies.Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, on 165 patients who underwent laparoscopic(n=63) or robotic-assisted hysterectomy(n=102) between December 2023 and November 2024. Key outcomes compared in the study included blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, pain scores, return to activities, QOL assessments and satisfaction levels.Results: Robotic surgery had lower blood loss (<100 mL, 73.5% vs.55.5%; P=0.44) and shorter hospital stays (1.39±0.67 vs. 1.8±0.8days, P<0.01) but longer operative times (104.4±30.3 vs. 92.9±42.1 minutes, P=0.03). Robotic patients reported faster recovery in mobility, pain relief, and emotional well-being (P<0.0001). The symptom resolution was faster in robotic surgery patients. Pain scores were lower in robotic cases by day 1 (3.1 vs. 3.8, P=0.001) and week 6 (1.0 vs. 1.9, P<0.0001). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the robotic group (P=0.001), with 88.2% of patients rated their satisfaction as grade 10, compared to 36.5% in the laparoscopic group.Conclusion: Both laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomies are effective. Patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy reported higher satisfaction levels, faster resolution of pain and discomfort, improved mobility and emotional well-being in the early postoperative period. Patient needs, case complexity, and available resources should guide surgical choice.