[Comparative analysis of the efficacy of Da Vinci robot-assisted subtotal colectomy and laparoscopic surgery for slow...

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of da Vinci robot-assisted subtotal colectomy with laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of slow transit constipation. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The clinical and follow-up data of 95 patients with slow transit constipation who underwent robotic or laparoscopic subtotal colectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from July, 2022 to August, 2024 and had a follow-up period of 6 months were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a robotic surgery group (43 cases) and a laparoscopic surgery group (52 cases) according to surgical approaches. All patients underwent preoperative colonic transit study, barium enema radiography, defecography, and colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of slow transit constipation. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). Primary observation indicators included Wexner constipation score, gastrointestinal quality of life score, and the time of first ambulation after surgery. Secondary observation indicators included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, first defecation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative defecation frequency, postoperative complications, surgical satisfaction, and postoperative pain. The Wexner constipation score was evaluated at 6 months after surgery as well, and a total score of 15 or above was defined as constipation; the higher the score, the more severe the constipation. The gastrointestinal quality of life index was also evaluated at 6 months after surgery; the lower the score, the poorer the quality of life. Pain assessment was conducted on the 2nd day after surgery using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for self-assessment, and here a higher score indicated greater pain intensity. Observe the patients' intraoperative and pastoperative conditions. Results: Both groups completed the surgery unevenifullg without conversion to laparotomy, and no severe intraoperative complications occurred. Compared to the laparoscopic surgery group, the robotic surgery group had significantly shorter first ambulation time ([18.5±1.3] hours vs. [24.5±0.6] hours, t=-30.437, P<0.001), first defecation time ([21.2±2.2] hours vs. [24.9±0.9] hours, t=-10.818, P<0.001), and hospital stay ([7.8±1.5] days vs. [9.4±3.3] days, t=-3.069, P=0.003), all P<0.05. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain score, defecation frequency, or incidence of postoperative complications (all P>0.05). Follow-up at 6 months post-operation also showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of Wexner score, gastrointestinal quality of life score, daily defecation frequency, or surgical satisfaction (all P>0.05). When comparing the follow-up scores between postoperative and preoperative periods in each group, both Wexner scores (laparoscopic group: [2.2±1.2] vs. [17.7±0.9], t=83.580, P<0.001; robotic group: [2.6±1.2] vs. [17.5±0.8], t=69.274, P<0.001) and gastrointestinal quality of life scores (laparoscopic group: [108.6±4.4] vs. [76.0±4.6], t=-41.442, P<0.001; robotic group: [109.3±6.1] vs. [77.8±6.4], t=-29.939, P<0.001) were significantly improved. No additional complications or recurrence were observed in both groups at 6 months post-operation. Conclusion: Compared to laparoscopic subtotal colectomy, da Vinci robot-assisted subtotal colectomy for slow transit constipation is associated with faster postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stays, and the operative times and therapeutic efficacy are similar between the two approaches.