Preliminary results of robotic colorectal surgery at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University.
BACKGROUND
The available literature on minimally invasive colorectal cancer demonstrates that laparoscopic approach is feasible and associated with better short term outcomes than open surgery while maintaining equivalent oncologic safety. Reports have shown that robotic surgery may overcome some of the pitfalls of laparoscopic intervention.
To evaluate early results of robotic colorectal surgery, in a cohort of Egyptian patients, regarding operative time, operative and early post-operative complications, hospital stay and pathological results.


METHODS
A case series study which was carried out in surgical department at National Cancer Institute, Cairo University. Ten Egyptian cases of colorectal cancer (age ranged from 30 to 67, 5 males and 5 females) were recruited from the period of April 2013 to April 2014. Robotic surgery was performed to all cases.


RESULTS
Three patients had low anterior resection, three anterior resection, one total proctectomy, one abdominoperineal resection, one left hemicolectomy and one colostomy. The study reported no mortalities and two morbidities. The mean operative time was 333min. The conversion to open was done in only one patient. A total mesorectal excision with negative circumferential margin was accomplished in all patients, distal margin was positive in one patient. Mean lymph nodes removed was 10.7. Mean hospital stay was 7.4days.


CONCLUSIONS
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the outcomes of robotic colorectal cancer intervention in Egyptian patients. Our preliminary results suggest that robotic-assisted surgery for colorectal cancer can be carried out safely and according to oncological principles.
Surgical Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.
Ashraf Saad
AS
Zaghloul
Surgical Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt. Electronic address: drbarbary@yahoo.com.
Ahmed Mostafa
AM
Mahmoud
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures
Colorectal cancer; Egypt; Minimally invasive surgery; Robotic-assisted