Oncologic outcomes for robotic versus laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer: an ACS-NSQIP analysis

Robotic colectomy has been associated with comparable or improved short-term morbidity and mortality when compared to laparoscopic colectomy, including shorter length of stay. In this study, we sought to understand oncologic advantages for robotic as compared to laparoscopic colectomy in colon cancer. We analyzed the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant user files for all elective colon cancer cases from 1/2016 through 12/2021 performed with minimally invasive surgical techniques (robotic and laparoscopic). We calculated relative risks (RR) through Poisson Regression models and treatment effect coefficients by propensity-score match, after adjusting for age, BMI, ASA scores, mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation, emergency surgery, race, gender, smoking status, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Analyzed outcomes included rate of chemotherapy initiation within 90 days of surgery, number of harvested lymph nodes, any occurrence of intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusion, and the need for ostomy. During the study period, 44,745 patients underwent minimally invasive colectomy for colon cancer; 39,614 in the laparoscopic cohort and 7,831 in the robotic cohort. After adjusting for confounders, robotic colectomy was associated with a significant increase in the likelihood for initating chemotherapy within 90 days (RR 1.98, 95% CI {1.86-2.10}, p < 0.001). The robotic-treated patients had a significantly more lymph nodes harvested, a significant decrease in the need for intraperative or postoperative blood transfusion (RR 0.64, 95% CI {0.57-0.71}, p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in the need for ostomy formation (RR 0.26, 95% CI {0.22-0.30}, p < 0.001). As a retrospective and non-randomized study, residual bias and confouding variables are likely to exist. The study is also subject to coding incompleteness and inaccuracies. We also do not have additional context on potential factors that might influence time to chemotherapy. In addition, there is no information on surgeon or hospital volume, which can be associated with outcomes. Robotic colectomy for colon cancer was associated with significant improvement in the rate of chemotherapy initiation within 90 days, a significant reduction in need for blood transfusions, and a lower likelihood of receiving an ostomy when compared to laparoscopic colectomy procedures. The data reveal substantial short-term gains in oncologic outcomes for colon cancer performed with robotic techniques.