Implementation of robot‐assisted total mesorectal excision by multiple surgeons in a large teaching hospital: Morbidity, long‐term oncological and functional outcome

• Published in: The international journal of medical robotics + computer assisted surgery Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. e2227 - n/a
• Main Authors: Hol, Jeroen C., Dogan, Kemal, Blanken‐Peeters, Charlotte F. J. M., van Eekeren, Ramon R. J. P., de Roos, Marnix A. J., Sietses, Colin, Spillenaar Bilgen, Ernst J., Witteman, Bart P. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Cancer; Colorectal cancer; Conversion; implementation; Morbidity; rectal cancer; Rectum; robotic surgery; Robots; Surgeons; implementation; rectal cancer; robotic surgery
• ISSN: 1478-5951; 1478-596X
• DOI: 10.1002/rcs.2227

Background Robot‐assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) might offer benefits in less morbidity, better functional and long‐term outcome over laparoscopic TME. Methods All consecutive patients undergoing robot‐assisted TME for rectal cancer during implementation between May 2015 and December 2019 performed by five surgeons in a single centre were included. Outcomes included local recurrence rate at 3 years, conversion rate, circumferential resection margin (CRM) positivity rate, 30‐day postoperative morbidity and outcomes of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) questionnaires. Results In 105 robot‐assisted TME, local recurrence rate at 3 years was 7.4%, conversion to open surgery rate was 8.6%, CRM positivity rate was 5.7%, 73.3% had good quality specimen, postoperative morbidity rate was 47.6% and anastomotic leakage rate was 9.0%. Incidence of major LARS was 55.3%. Conclusions results of this study described acceptable morbidity, functional and long‐term outcome during implementation of robotic TME for rectal cancer by multiple surgeons in a single centre.