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Objective To investigate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic approach in the management patients undergoing modified radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer. Methods Consecutive data of 157 women who had class II radical hysterectomy, for stage IA2 and stage IB1 <2 cm cervical cancer, were prospectively collected. Data of patients undergoing surgery via laparoscopy (LRH) were compared with those undergoing open surgical operations (RAH). A propensity-matched comparison (1:1) was carried out to minimize as possible selection biases. Post-operative complications were graded per the Clavien-Dindo classification. Five-year survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan–Meier model. Results After the exclusion of 37 (23.5%) patients on the basis of propensity-matching, 60 patients undergoing LRH were compared with 60 patients undergoing RAH. No between-group differences in baseline, disease and pathological variables were observed ( p > 0.05). Patients undergoing surgery via laparoscopy experienced longer operative time than patients undergoing RAH; while LRH correlated whit shorter length of hospitalization and lower blood loss in comparison to RAH. Intra- and post-operative complication rate was similar between groups ( p = 1.00). The execution of LRH or RAH did not influence site of recurrence ( p > 0.2) as well as survival outcomes, in term of 5-year disease-free ( p = 0.29, log-rank test) and overall survivals ( p = 0.50, log-rank test). Conclusion Laparoscopic approach is a safe procedure, upholds the results of RAH, reducing invasiveness of open surgical operations. Further large prospective investigations are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]