Advantages of using a robotic stapler in rectal cancer surgery

P. Tejedor, F. Sagias, D. Nock, K. Flashman, S. Naqvi, N. Li Kandala, Jim. S. Khan

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    Abstract

    To compare short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing robotic total mesorectal excision (TME) after the use of robotic and laparoscopic staplers. Over a 5-year period, 196 patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of laparoscopic (LS) or robotic stapler (RS). Patient demographics and postoperative complications were compared. A total of 145 (74%) robotic TME were performed using the LS and 51 (26%) the RS. No conversions to laparoscopy or laparotomy were observed, in either group. Transection of the rectum using one or two firings was achieved in a higher proportion of RS cases (91%) compared with LS cases (60%; p < 0.001). The anastomotic leakage (AL) rate was 4% in the RS group vs. 7% in the LS group (p > 0.05). However, when three or more firings were needed for the rectal transection, the risk of AL increased (3.4% with ≤ 2 firings vs. 10.7% with ≥ 3 firings, p = 0.006). Our data confirm that multiple stapler firings for rectal transection have a major impact on AL. The robotic stapler simplifies the transaction, so that rectal division requires fewer stapler firings, with a potential reduction in the incidence of AL.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number0
    Pages (from-to)365-370
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of Robotic Surgery
    Volume14
    Early online date9 Jul 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2020

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