title: Robotic versus laparoscopic low anterior resection of rectal cancer: short-term outcome of a prospective comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to compare the short-term results between robotic-assisted low anterior resection (R-LAR), using the da Vinci Surgical System, and standard laparoscopic low anterior resection (L-LAR) in rectal cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  113 patients were assigned to receive either R-LAR (n = 56) or L-LAR (n = 57) between April 2006 and September 2007. Patient characteristics, perioperative clinical results, complications, and pathologic details were compared between the groups. Moreover, macroscopic grading of the specimen was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient characteristics were not significantly different between the groups. The mean operation time was 190.1 +/- 45.0 min in the R-LAR group and 191.1 +/- 65.3 min in the L-LAR group (P = 0.924). The conversion rate was 0.0% in the R-LAR groups and 10.5% in the L-LAR group (P = 0.013). The serious complication rate was 5.4% in the R-LAR group and 19.3% in the L-LAR group (P = 0.025). The specimen quality was acceptable in both groups. However, the mesorectal grade was complete (n = 52) and nearly complete (n = 4) in the R-LAR group and complete (n = 43), nearly complete (n = 12), and incomplete (n = 2) in the L-LAR group (P = 0.033).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  R-LAR was performed safely and effectively, using the da Vinci Surgical System. The use of the system resulted in acceptable perioperative outcomes compared to L-LAR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-ku, Seoul, Korea. whitenoja@yuhs.ac
authors.forename: Seung Hyuk
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Baik
authors.forename: Hye Youn
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Jin Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyuk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.forename: Seung Kook
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Chang Hwan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Hoguen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome