A comprehensive review and meta-analysis comparing robot-assisted and 3D laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer

This review and meta-analysis evaluates the short-term surgical results of robot-assisted gastrectomy compared to 3D laparoscopic gastrectomy in individuals with gastric cancer. This study used scholarly articles from peer-reviewed articles of PubMed. Further, this study uses other sources, such as, Embase, CNKI, and the Cochrane Library, to gather relevant studies on gastrectomy for gastric cancer which are made public from the inception of these databases up to July 15, 2024. This study seeks to primarily draw similarities between the therapeutic efficacy of robot-assisted gastrectomy (RG) and the 3D laparoscopic gastrectomy (3D-LG). Similarly, this study will strictly adhere to the inclusion and exclusion guidelines, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort research. A total of 1231 gastric cancer patients were involved in incorporating seven retrospective cohort studies as the final analysis in the study with 533 undergoing robot-assisted gastrectomy and 698 undergoing 3D-LG. The results showed that patients who received robotic-assisted gastrectomy experienced superior outcomes regarding EBL and time-to-first postoperative exhaust compared to those who underwent 3D-LG. However, the robotic-assisted approach was related to a reduced number of LNY. Besides, there were similarities between the two surgical techniques in relation to OT, LOHS, and post-surgery complications. In summary, robot-assisted gastrectomy is acknowledged as a secure and efficient treatment option for individuals with stomach cancer. This approach demonstrated notable benefits compared to 3D-LG, particularly with regard to estimated intraoperative blood loss and the timing of the first postoperative exhaust.