title: Robotic right colectomy: A worthwhile procedure? Results of a meta-analysis of trials comparing robotic versus laparoscopic right colectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Robotic right colectomy (RRC) is a complex procedure, offered to selected patients at institutions highly experienced with the procedure. It is still not clear if this approach is worthwhile in enhancing patient recovery and reducing post-operative complications, compared with laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC). Literature is still fragmented and no meta-analyses have been conducted to compare the two procedures. This work aims at reducing this gap in literature, in order to draw some preliminary conclusions on the differences and similarities between RRC and LRC, focusing on short-term outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature review was conducted to identify studies comparing RRC and LRC, and meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Peri-operative outcomes (e.g., morbidity, mortality, anastomotic leakage rates, blood loss, operative time) constituted the study end points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six studies, including 168 patients undergoing RRC and 348 patients undergoing LRC were considered as suitable. The patients in the two groups were similar with respect to sex, body mass index, presence of malignant disease, previous abdominal surgery, and different with respect to age and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. There were no statistically significant differences between RRC and LRC regarding estimated blood loss, rate of conversion to open surgery, number of retrieved lymph nodes, development of anastomotic leakage and other complications, overall morbidity, rates of reoperation, overall mortality, hospital stays. RRC resulted in significantly longer operative time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RRC procedure is feasible, safe, and effective in selected patients. However, operative times are longer comparing to LRC and no advantages in peri-operative and post-operative outcomes are demonstrated with the use of the robotic surgical system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Niccolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrucciani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sirimarco
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Nigri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magistri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: La Torre
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aurello
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramacciato
keywords: Colon; colorectal; laparoscopic; right colectomy; robotic