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Published in: Surgical Endoscopy 11/2018

01-11-2018

Does robotic rectal cancer surgery improve the results of experienced laparoscopic surgeons? An observational single institution study comparing 168 robotic assisted with 184 laparoscopic rectal resections

Authors: Rogier M. P. H. Crolla, Paul G. Mulder, George P. van der Schelling

Published in: Surgical Endoscopy | Issue 11/2018

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Abstract

Background

The role of robotic assistance in colorectal cancer surgery has not been established yet. We compared the results of robotic assisted with those of laparoscopic rectal resections done by two surgeons experienced in laparoscopic as well as in robotic rectal cancer surgery.

Methods

Two surgeons who were already experienced laparoscopic colorectal surgeons in 2005 started robotic surgery with the daVinci SI system in 2012. All their rectal cancer resections between 2005 and 2015 were retrieved from a prospectively recorded colorectal database of routinely collected patient data. Multi-organ resections were excluded. Patient data, diagnostic data, data on preceding operations and neoadjuvant treatment, perioperative and operative data, logistic data, and short-term outcomes were gathered. Multivariable analyses (multiple linear and logistic regression) were used to assess differences in several outcomes between the two resection methods while adjusting for all potential confounders we could identify. Results are presented as adjusted mean differences for continuous outcome variables or as adjusted odds ratios (OR) for dichotomous outcome variables.

Results

Three hundred and fifty-two patients with rectal cancers were identified: 168 robotic and 184 conventional laparoscopic cases, 178 operated by surgeon A and 174 operated by surgeon B. Adjusted mean operation time was 215 min in the robotic group which was 40 min (95% CI 24–56; p < 0.0005) longer than the 175 min in the laparoscopic group. Robotic treatment had significantly lesser numbers of conversions (OR 0.09 (0.03–0.32); p < 0.0005) and other complications (SSI and anastomic leakage excluded) (OR 0.32 (0.15–0.69); p = 0.004), adjusted for potential confounders.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that robotic surgery in the hands of experienced laparoscopic rectal cancer surgeons improves the conversion rate and complication rate drastically compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery, but operation time is longer.
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Metadata
Title
Does robotic rectal cancer surgery improve the results of experienced laparoscopic surgeons? An observational single institution study comparing 168 robotic assisted with 184 laparoscopic rectal resections
Authors
Rogier M. P. H. Crolla
Paul G. Mulder
George P. van der Schelling
Publication date
01-11-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Surgical Endoscopy / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 0930-2794
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2218
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-6209-x

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