title: Robot-assisted versus standard laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over the years, there has been a continual shift toward more minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as the use of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery. Recently, there has been increasing adoption of robotic technology. Our study aims to compare and contrast robot-assisted and laparoscopic approaches to colorectal operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic colorectal surgery performed by 2 surgeons at an academic center, regardless of indication, were included in this retrospective review. Patients undergoing open approaches were excluded. Study outcomes included operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, complications, and conversion rate to an open procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five laparoscopic and fifteen robot-assisted colorectal surgeries were performed. The mean patient age was 61.1 ± 10.7 years in the laparoscopic group compared with 61.1 ± 8.5 years in the robotic group (P = .997). Patients had a similar body mass index and history of abdominal surgery. Mean blood loss was 163.3 ± 249.2 mL and 96.8 ± 157.7 mL, respectively (P = .385). Operative times were similar, with 190.8 ± 84.3 minutes in the laparoscopic group versus 258.4 ± 170.8 minutes in the robotic group (P = .183), as were lengths of hospital stay: 9.6 ± 7.3 and 6.5 ± 3.8 days, respectively (P = .091). In addition, there was no difference in the number of lymph nodes harvested between the laparoscopic group (14.0 ± 6.5) and robotic group (12.3 ± 4.2, P = .683).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our early experience, the robotic approach to colorectal surgery can be considered both safe and efficacious. Furthermore, it also preserves oncologically sufficient outcomes when performed for cancer operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Becky B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Trinh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Adam T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Hauch
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Buell
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kandil
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Colon resection; Colorectal surgery; Laparoscopic; Robot; Robotic surgery