title: Early results after robot-assisted colorectal surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Implementation of robotic technology in surgery is challenging in many ways. The aim of this study was to present the implementation process and results of the first two years of consecutive robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) colorectal procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a retrospective study of a consecutive, unselected patient population. All outcome parameters were predefined and all patients completed 30-day follow-up. All parameters were reported, including complication rate, reoperation rate and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From April 2010 to April 2012, a total of 223 elective RAL colorectal procedures were performed. The procedures were grouped as follows: left colectomy/sigmoid resection (n = 65), low anterior resection (n = 50), abdominoperineal resection (n = 10), right colectomy (n = 56), rectopexia (n = 21), colectomy (n = 8), palliative procedure (n = 8) and stoma reversal (n = 8). The overall mortality rate was 0.4%; intra- and post-operative complication rates were 5.4% and 16%, respectively; and the reoperation rate was 9%. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 9% of cases. A positive learning curve was found for low anterior resections with a significant decrease in duration of surgery over the course of the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RAL colorectal surgery can be performed as a standard procedure for most colorectal procedures. Appropriate staff education, surgical plan and quality assessment are necessary and we recommend a credentialing system for robotic surgery certification. Future randomized clinical trials should be performed to evaluate the short- and long-term results in these patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Valhalvej 42, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. jravn@dadlnet.dk.
authors.forename: Jens Ravn
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Eriksen
authors.forename: Neel Maria
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Helvind
authors.forename: Henrik Loft
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bundgaard
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harvald
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gögenur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D061887:Conversion to Open Surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics