Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Resection for Mid and Low Rectal Cancers

Area of Science:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Rectal cancer treatment often involves low anterior resection.
• Comparing robotic (RLAR) and laparoscopic (LLAR) approaches is crucial for optimizing outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the surgical and early oncologic benefits of RLAR compared to LLAR.
• To assess differences in intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between RLAR and LLAR.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 35 RLARs and 28 LLARs for mid and low rectal cancers.
• Data collected from January 2013 to June 2015.

Main Results:

• RLAR group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss (120 vs. 165 mL) and higher mean operative time (252 vs. 208 min).
• No significant differences in flatus passage, hospital stay, or postoperative morbidity.
• Robotic surgery yielded superior total mesorectal excision (TME) specimen quality with negative margins in all RLAR cases versus positive margins in 2 LLAR cases.

Conclusions:

• Short-term surgical and oncologic outcomes for RLAR and LLAR are comparable for rectal cancer.
• RLAR offers improved TME specimen quality, a critical factor in oncologic resections.
• Longer operative time remains a limitation for the robotic approach.