[Colorectal cancer]

Since the da Vinci®surgical system was adopted, the use of robotic surgery has become widespread. The safety and feasibility of colorectal cancer surgery have been described, comparing laparoscopic surgery with robotic surgery. For rectal cancer surgery, it is important to achieve a good balance between radical cure of the rectal cancer and functional preservation, based on progression of the rectal cancer. Advantages of robotic surgery include 1) stable control of the camera and surgical field by the surgeon; 2) flexibility within the narrow cavity of the pelvis, facilitated by complicated manipulation of forceps; and 3) rendering of poorly operative and technical difficult surgeries in the deep cavity of the pelvis easy through intuitive operation.Because of these advantages, robotic surgery is expected to provide both curability of rectal cancer and preservation of urogenital function via nerve sparing. There is also less blood loss compared to laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery.In order to provide more patients with robotic surgery under health insurance coverage, further evidence on safety and efficacy needs to be established.