Robotic Colorectal Surgery

Robotic Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Robotic surgery plays a useful and vital role in the management of colorectal cancer. Over the last three decades, there has been great advancement in minimally invasive approaches for colorectal surgery. This has led to improved recovery and minimized complications compared to open surgery.

Especially for rectal cancer robotic surgery has played a vital role, with the most obvious benefit being decreased conversion to open surgery. For colon cancer with robotic surgery, there is the early recovery of bowel function as seen in some studies. In terms of oncologic safety, robotic surgery performs equally in comparison to laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery puts many technical challenges which are cleared by robotic surgery by using instruments with better range of motion, better ergonomics and improved suturing.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

  • NThree-dimensional high definition vision.
  • NInstruments with a better range of motions, dexterity and flexibility that mimic human wrists.
  • NImproved precision of surgery.
  • NImproved vision with better access to confined pelvic space.
  • NBetter access and sparing of nerves.
  • NBetter quality of life.
  • NBetter quality of surgery for performing TME and decreasing need for diversion colostomy.

Colectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the large bowel in part or whole, while rectal resection involves the removal of the rectum in part or the whole. The available treatment options in a minimally invasive approach are robotic da Vinci surgery and traditional laparoscopy.

Robotic surgery is potentially advantageous in terms of ergonomics and three-dimensional vision with the use of improved dexterity instruments. For rectal cancer, the robot allows precise dissection in a confined space. The advantages are evident in such cases, where the oncologic safety of laparoscopic surgery is not well established, due to inherent technical difficulties with laparoscopic surgery. The ergonomics of robotic surgery are very useful in the management of colorectal cancer. Robotic surgery is useful in the management of colon cancer via Robotic Right hemicolectomy, and rectal cancer by Robotic Anterior resection, Robotic Low Anterior resection, and Robotic Abdominal Perineal Resection surgery. The minimally invasive approach is not suitable for all patients universally.