[Robotic-assisted rectal resection in rectal cancer: current evidence : A narrative review]

Robotic-assisted resection (RAR) of rectal carcinomas of the middle and lower third is increasing. In Germany RAR is still the exception in an international comparison. The gold standard is a laparoscopic rectal resection. Apart from registry data that could show lower recurrence rates after RAR, currently there is a multicenter, randomized study available showing 3‑year follow-up data. Local recurrence-free survival as well as disease-free survival were significantly improved after RAR. In addition, functional outcomes such as urinary, male and female sexual function scores were improved after RAR as well as defecation. The RAR has now emerged from the shadow of established techniques and has to be regarded as an important and independent factor in multimodal treatment of rectal cancer with respect to improved oncological and functional results.