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Surgery Today
Published in: Surgery Today 1/2021

01-01-2021 | Rectal Cancer | Review Article

Robotic surgery for rectal cancer as a platform to build on: review of current evidence

Authors: Pietro Achilli, Fabian Grass, David W. Larson

Published in: Surgery Today | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Laparoscopy in colorectal surgery reduces the rate of postoperative complications, shortens the length of stay in hospital, and improves the quality of patient care. Despite these established benefits, the technical challenges of rectal resection for cancer have resulted in most operations being performed through open surgery in the USA. Moreover, controversy in the current literature questions the oncologic safety of a laparoscopic approach for rectal cancer. How then can surgeons innovate to overcome the technical challenges while preserving the critical oncological outcomes of high-quality rectal cancer surgery? Robotics may be a platform that allows us to overcome the technical challenges in the pelvis while maintaining both oncological outcomes and the benefits of a minimally invasive technique. Current evidence suggests that the quality of total mesorectal excision, the rates of circumferential margin involvement, and postoperative outcomes are comparable between robotic and laparoscopic surgery. While a robotic approach demonstrates lower conversion rates and reduced surgeon workload, the operative time is longer and initial costs are higher; however, time and future science will determine its true benefits. We review the current state of robotic surgery and its impact on rectal cancer surgery.
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Metadata
Title
Robotic surgery for rectal cancer as a platform to build on: review of current evidence
Authors
Pietro Achilli
Fabian Grass
David W. Larson
Publication date
01-01-2021
Publisher
Springer Singapore
Published in
Surgery Today / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-1291
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-020-02008-4

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