Short-term outcomes comparison between robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer

Abstract

Objective To compare effectiveness and short-term outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery for radical resection of rectal cancer. Methods A total of 410 patients diagnosed with rectal cancer, undergoing robotic-assisted surgery(RAS) for rectal cancer (215 cases) and conventional laparoscopic surgery(CLS) for rectal cancer (195) from Jan 2016 to Dec 2018 were included into the present study. Operative characteristics, postoperative complications and pathologic parameters were evaluated between RAS and CLS group. Results The RAS group had less intraoperative blood loss[(107±46) ml vs. (147±35)ml, t=3.695, P<0.05], longer operation time[(209±55)min vs. (195±55)min, t=2.508, P<0.05], earlier first flatus[(3.4±1.4)d vs.(5.3±1.6)d, t=-14.952, P<0.05], and first liquid diet time[(4.3±1.5)d vs. (6.2±2.6)d, t=-9.109, P<0.05], more number of dissected lymph nodes[(12.6±4.3) vs. (10.6±4.5), t=4.468, P<0.05]compared with those in the CLS group. But more expensive total hospitalization costs[(71 775±45 089) yuan vs. (66 789±16 721) yuan, t=4.224, P<0.05]. Conclusion Compared with laparoscopic surgery, robotic-assisted surgery has less blood loss, shorter time of first flatus, more lymph nodes yield. Key words: Rectal neoplasms; Robots; Laparoscopy; Proctectomy