Robotic surgery in colorectal emergencies: a systematic review of current evidence

Although laparoscopy continues to be the predominant minimally invasive approach in most emergency settings, the advantages of robotics, well established in elective surgery, are currently being explored in selected scenarios and specialized centres.

A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases until January 2025. Primary outcome was safety and feasibility of robotics in emergency colorectal surgery. Secondary endpoints included perioperative and postoperative outcomes.

Fifteen articles were included with a total of 46 robotic emergency colorectal surgical procedures. Most were performed in a tertiary centre with a da Vinci system. Most common procedures were robotic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer and sigmoid colectomy for acute diverticulitis. Mean operating time for robotic right hemicolectomy was 134 min for benign cases and 241 ± 7 min for malignant cases; robotic sigmoid colectomy showed a mean operating time of 171 ± 3 min. No intraoperative complications were recorded. One case required conversion. Intracorporeal anastomosis was performed in most cases (n = 13). Mean length of stay was 5 days. No Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 complications, reoperation or readmission were reported. Five complete mesocolic excisions (CMEs) were performed. Pathology outcomes were available for four CMEs: showing R0 resection with a mean lymph node harvest of 54 ± 13. In four CMEs, the involved team included an on-call robotic colorectal surgeon and an experience theatre team including experienced anaesthetist in robotic procedures.

Robotics in emergency settings is feasible and safe but requires additional training and dedicated teams for optimal outcomes.