Major colorectal resection is feasible using a new robotic surgical platform: the first report of a case series

The number of abdominal procedures performed via a robotic-assisted approach is increasing as potential advantages of the modality are recognised. We report the first in human case series of major colorectal resection performed using a new system, Versius^®, and assess the feasibility of its use.

The initial cases performed using Versius^® at a single centre in the UK were included in the study. Anonymised data were prospectively collected including patient demographics, operative details and postoperative outcomes.

Twenty-three operations were performed, including left (n = 14) and right (n = 9)-sided colonic resections. Rectal mobilisation was performed in 13. Fifty-seven percent of the patients were male, with a malignant indication for surgery in 70% of cases. Overall mean age was 59.1 ± 15.3 (range 23–89) years. Overall mean body mass index was 28.9 ± 5.2 with a mean of 31.3 ± 4.5 for left-sided resections. The median console operating time was 166 min (range 75–320 min). All malignant cases had negative resection margins and the mean lymph node yield was 18 (SD 9.4). Only one operation (4%) was converted from robotic to open approach. Postoperative length of stay was a median of 5 days (range 3–34 days) and there were no readmissions within 30 days.

These results compare favourably with the literature on existing robotic systems and also conventional laparoscopic surgery; hence, we believe that this series indicates the Versius^® system is feasible for use in major colorectal resection. These early results from a robot-naïve centre show exciting promise for an expanding robotic market and highlight the need for further evaluation.