title: A comparison of laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery outcomes using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Until randomized trials mature, large database analyses assist in determining the role of robotics in colorectal surgery. ACS NSQIP database coding now allows differentiation between laparoscopic (LC) and robotic (RC) colorectal procedures. The purpose of this study was to compare LC and RC outcomes by analyzing the ACS NSQIP database.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ACS NSQIP database was queried to identify patients who had undergone RC and LC during 2013. Demographic characteristics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes were identified. Using propensity score matching, abdominal and pelvic colorectal operative and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 11,477 cases were identified. In the abdomen, 7790 LC and 299 RC cases were identified, and 2057 LC and 331 RC cases were identified in the pelvis. There were significant differences in operative time, conversion to an open procedure in the pelvis, and hospital length of stay. RC operative times were significantly longer in both abdominal and pelvic cases. Conversion rates in the pelvis were less for RC when compared to LC--10.0 and 13.7%, respectively (p = 0.01). Hospital length of stay was significantly shorter for RC abdominal cases than for LC abdominal cases (4.3 vs. 5.3 days, p < 0.001) and for RC pelvic cases when compared to LC pelvic cases (4.5 vs. 5.3 days, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in surgical site infection (SSI), organ/space SSI, wound complications, anastomotic leak, sepsis/shock, or need for reoperation within 30 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the robotic platform continues to grow in colorectal surgery and as technical upgrades continue to advance, comparison of outcomes requires continuous reevaluation. This study demonstrated that robotic operations have longer operative times, decreased hospital length of stay, and decreased rates of conversion to open in the pelvis. These findings warrant continued evaluation of the role of minimally invasive technical upgrades in colorectal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, St. Joseph Mercy Health System - Ann Arbor, 5325 Elliott Dr, MHVI Suite #104, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, USA. anuradha.bhama@stjoeshealth.org.
authors.forename: Anuradha R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bhama
authors.affiliation: Division Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Obias
authors.affiliation: Center for Statistical Consultation and Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, St. Joseph Mercy Health System - Ann Arbor, 5325 Elliott Dr, MHVI Suite #104, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, USA.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Vandewarker
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, St. Joseph Mercy Health System - Ann Arbor, 5325 Elliott Dr, MHVI Suite #104, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, USA.
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Cleary
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D061887:Conversion to Open Surgery; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures; D014481:United States
keywords: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery; Minimally invasive colorectal surgery; Outcomes; Robotic colorectal surgery