Robotic colorectal surgery: first 50 cases experience.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is believed to be technically and oncologically feasible. However, some limitation of traditional laparoscopic surgery may cause difficulties. Robotic-assisted surgery may overcome these pitfalls.


METHODS
From December 2005 to July 2007, 50 patients were selected for robotic-assisted colorectal resection mainly for cancer.


RESULTS
Of the 50 patients enrolled, 32 (64 percent) were men and 18 (36 percent) were women. Their mean age was 66.7 (range, 37-92) years. The American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) class distribution was 13 (26 percent) ASA I, 24 (48 percent) ASA II, 12 (24 percent) ASA III, and 1 (2 percent) ASA IV. Forty-four patients suffered from cancer and six patients from benign disease. Amongst the cancer patients, 3 percent were at UICC (International Union Against Cancer) Stage 0, 36 percent at UICC Stage I, 24 percent at Stage II, 28 percent at Stage III, and 9 percent at Stage IV. The global conversion rate was 4 percent. The mean operative time was 338.8 minutes. It decreased as the experience increased (419 minutes in the first 20 cases vs. 346 minutes in the last 30 cases; P = 0.036). As a gross comparison, the results of a coeval standard laparoscopy group of patients were shown.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic laparoscopic colon surgery is feasible and safe. A longer operating time is needed.
Spinoglio
Giuseppe
G
Department of Surgery, SS Antonio e Biagio Hospital, Alessandria, Italy. gspinoglio@ospedale.al.it
Summa
Massimo
M
Priora
Fabio
F
Quarati
Raoul
R
Testa
Silvio
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome