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Short-Term Outcomes of Robot-Assisted Versus Laparoscopic Colectomy for Colon Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched
Akira Inoue1, Yujiro Nishizawa1, Yoshinori Kagawa2
1Department of Gastroenterological Surgery Osaka General Medical Center Osaka Japan.
Annals of Gastroenterological Surgery
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Robot-assisted colectomy shows improved short-term outcomes for colon cancer compared to laparoscopic colectomy, including less blood loss and shorter hospital stays. This real-world data supports its feasibility, though long-term results require further study.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Robotic Surgery
Background:
- Clinical benefits of robot-assisted colectomy (RAC) versus laparoscopic colectomy (LC) for colon cancer are not well-established.
- Limited real-world data exists comparing these minimally invasive surgical approaches for colon cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the short-term outcomes of robot-assisted colectomy versus laparoscopic colectomy in patients diagnosed with colon cancer.
- To provide real-world evidence on the comparative effectiveness of RAC and LC for colon cancer.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted.
- Patients undergoing minimally invasive colectomies for colon cancer between January 2014 and November 2024 were included.
- 1:1 propensity score matching was employed to compare outcomes between RAC and LC groups, minimizing confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Robot-assisted colectomy group demonstrated significantly longer operative times (212 vs. 200 min) but significantly lower intraoperative blood loss (22.8 vs. 37.5 mL).
- Conversion to open surgery rates were significantly lower in the RAC group (0.0% vs. 2.3%).
- Mean hospital stays were significantly shorter (7.0 vs. 11.3 days) and overall complication rates were lower (11.0% vs. 17.9%) in the RAC group, while lymph node dissection and R0 resection rates were comparable.
Conclusions:
- Real-world data suggests robot-assisted colectomy is a feasible option for colon cancer treatment, offering potential short-term benefits.
- Further investigation is warranted to assess the long-term oncologic outcomes and cost-effectiveness of robot-assisted colectomy compared to laparoscopic colectomy.
