title: Short- and medium-term outcome of robot-assisted and traditional laparoscopic rectal resection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional laparoscopic anterior rectal resection (TLAR) has recently been used for rectal cancer, offering good functional results compared with open anterior resection and resulting in a better postoperative early outcome. However, laparoscopic rectal resection can be technically demanding, especially when a total mesorectal excision is required. The aim of this study was to verify whether robot-assisted anterior rectal resection (RLAR) could overcome limitations of the laparoscopic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six patients with rectal cancer were enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine patients underwent RLAR and 37 TLAR. Groups were matched for age, BMI, sex ratio, ASA status, and TNM stage, and were followed up for a mean time of 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Robot-assisted laparoscopic rectal resection results in shorter operative time when a total mesorectal excision is performed (165.9+/-10 vs 210+/-37 minutes; P<0.05). The conversion rate is significantly lower for RLAR (P<0.05). Postoperative morbidity was comparable between groups. Overall survival and disease-free survival were comparable between groups, even though a trend towards better disease-free survival in the RLAR group was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RLAR is a safe and feasible procedure that facilitates laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. Randomized clinical trials and longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate a possible influence of RLAR on patient survival.
authors: Department of General, Vascular, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Hospital San Matteo degli Infermi-Spoleto (PG), Italy. albertopatriti@gmail.com
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Patriti
authors: Graziano
authors: G
authors: Ceccarelli
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Bartoli
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Spaziani
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Biancafarina
authors: Luciano
authors: L
authors: Casciola
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome