The use of the da Vinci Xi robot system in colorectal cancer resections - why is it worth it?

<b>Introduction:</b> Surgery using robotic systems is taking over an increasingly wider field of open surgery and laparoscopy. Recently, this is particularly visible in colorectal surgery, where the advantages include better insight into the hard-to-reach area of the surgical field. Limited access to this method and relatively high costs remain a problem. </br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the work is to present the results of the introduction of robotic surgery at the regional Oncology Center in Wielkopolska in the field of safety and feasibility and the early oncological results for robotic colorectal surgery. </br></br> <b> Materials and methods:</b> From March 6, 2019 to the end of 2019, we performed 66 robotic colorectal procedures: 54 anterior resections of the sigmoid colon/rectum, 6 right hemicolectomies, 3 left hemicolectomies, 2 abdominoperineal resections, and one Hartmann's procedure. </br></br> <b> Results:</b> The final histopathological examination of all operated patients confirmed the complete resection (R0 procedure). The average age was 64 years and the average duration of surgery was 199 ± 52 min. None of the robotic procedures required conversion to open surgery or laparoscopy once they had started. The average hospitalization time was 6 ± 1 days, including patients with complications. Complications occurred in 8 patients, with the most common being anastomotic leak - 4 (6%). </br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> The use of the latest da Vinci Xi robot system is a safe and effective alternative to open and laparoscopic surgery. Colorectal surgery confirms its special advantage in the case of low anterior resections of the rectum. Increasing the availability of equipment and training will allow expanding the scope of operations, including upper gastrointestinal tract.