Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2022
Robotic proctectomy for rectal cancer: analysis of 71 patients from a single institution
Philip M Spanheimer1, John G Armstrong1, Sunyang Fu1
1Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Background:
Despite increasing use of robotic surgery for rectal cancer, few series have been published from the practice of generalizable US surgeons.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed for 71 consecutive patients who underwent robotic low anterior resection (LAR) or abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal adenocarcinoma between 2010 and 2014.
Results:
46 LARs (65%) and 25 APRs (35%) were identified. Median procedure time was 219 minutes (IQR 184-275) and mean blood loss 164.9 cc (SD 155.9 cc). Radial margin was negative in 70/71 (99%) patients. Total mesorectal excision integrity was complete/near complete in 38/39 (97%) of graded specimens. A mean of 16.8 (SD+/- 8.9) lymph nodes were retrieved. At median follow-up of 21.9 months, there were no local recurrences.
Conclusions:
Robotic proctectomy for rectal cancer was introduced into typical colorectal surgery practice by a single surgeon, with a low conversion rate, low complication rate, and satisfactory oncologic outcomes.
