Does Obesity Impact Surgical and Pathological Outcomes in Robotic Complete Mesocolic Excision for Colon Cancer?

Obesity is one of the contributing factors to technical difficulties in minimally invasive colorectal surgery. However, there are no data regarding the outcomes for obese patients undergoing robotic complete mesocolic excision (CME) for colon cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether robotic CME in obese patients can be performed with similar morbidity and pathological results compared with nonobese patients. Patients who underwent robotic CME between 2014 and 2019 were classified into obese and nonobese groups. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m². Demographic data, perioperative outcomes and pathological results were compared between the groups. There were 42 and 105 patients in the obese and nonobese group, respectively. The groups were comparable regarding preoperative characteristics. There were no significant differences with respect to operative times (244 ± 64 versus 304 ± 75 minutes, P = .29), blood loss (median, 50 versus 80 mL, P = .20), intraoperative complications (0% versus 3.8%, P > .99), and conversions (0% versus 1.9%, P > .99). No differences were detected in length of hospital stay (6 ± 1 versus 6 ± 2 days, P = .73), anastomotic leak (2.4% versus 1.9%, P > .99), septic complications, reoperations (2.4% versus 3.8%), and readmissions (2.4% versus 2.9%) (P > .05). The mean number of harvested lymph nodes (33 ± 11 versus 34 ± 13, P = .79), resection margin status, and mesocolic fascia grading were similar. Robotic CME in obese patients can be performed with a similar morbidity and pathological profile compared with nonobese patients. The Clinical Trial Registration number is not applicable for this study.