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S052: a comparison of robot-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery in the treatment of rectal cancer

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Abstract

Background

In recent years, robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci System® has been proposed as an alternative to traditional open or laparoscopic procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcomes for open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted rectal resection for cancer.

Methods

Two hundred sixty-three patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative resection between 2007 and 2009 were included. Patients were classified into an open surgery group (OS, n = 88), a laparoscopic surgery group (LAP, n = 123), and a robot-assisted group (RAP, n = 52). Data analyzed include operating time, length of recovery, methods of specimen extraction, quality of total mesorectal excision, and morbidity.

Results

The mean operating time was 233.8 ± 59.2 min for the OS group, 158.1 ± 49.2 min for the LAP group, and 232.6 ± 52.4 min for the RAP group (p < 0.001). Patients from the LAP and RAP groups recovered significantly faster than did those from the OS group (p < 0.05). The proportion of operations performed through a natural orifice (intracorporeal anastomosis with transanal or transvaginal retrieval of specimens) was significantly higher in the RAP group (p < 0.001). The specimen quality—with a distal resection margin, harvested lymph nodes, and circumferential margin—did not differ among the three groups. The overall complication rates were 20.5, 12.2, and 19.2% in the OS, LAP, and RAP groups, respectively (p = 0.229).

Conclusions

RAP and LAP reproduce the equivalent short-term results of standard OS while providing the advantages of minimal access. For the experienced laparoscopic colorectal oncologist, use of the da Vinci robot resulted in no significant short-term clinical benefit over the conventional laparoscopic approach.

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Disclosures

Drs. Park, Choi, Lim, Jang, and Jun have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 50 Samduck-dong 2ga Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-721, Korea

    Jun Seok Park, Gyu-Seog Choi, Kyoung Hoon Lim, You Seok Jang & Soo Han Jun

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  1. Jun Seok Park
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  2. Gyu-Seog Choi
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  3. Kyoung Hoon Lim
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Correspondence to Gyu-Seog Choi.

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Park, J.S., Choi, GS., Lim, K.H. et al. S052: a comparison of robot-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery in the treatment of rectal cancer. Surg Endosc 25, 240–248 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-010-1166-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-010-1166-z

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