title: A Pooled Analysis of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Surgery for Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted the meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of robotic total mesorectal excision (RTME) compared with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) in treatment of rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of Medline, Embase databases, and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify studies that compared RTME versus LTME for rectal cancer and were published up to July 2014. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed. Depending on statistical heterogeneity, the fixed or random effect model was used for the meta-analysis. Outcomes of interest and related outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. These studies involved a total of 1229 patients, 554 of whom underwent RTME and 675 of whom underwent LTME. The meta-analysis showed that RTME had lower conversion rate and positive rate of circumferential resection margins, and lesser incidence of erectile dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that RTME for rectal cancer appears to be a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive alternative to its laparoscopic counterpart. But the long-term outcomes between the 2 techniques need to be further examined.
authors.affiliation: *Department of General Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China †Institute of Public Health, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guo-Hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D061887:Conversion to Open Surgery; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D061646:Operative Time; D061214:Patient Safety; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology