Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer: Current Evidences and Future Perspectives

Short-term outcomes of da Vinci SP versus Xi for colon cancer surgery: a propensity-score matching analysis of multicenter cohorts

Recent advancements in robotic systems have led to the introduction of the da Vinci SP system, which allows surgeons to perform colon cancer surgery through fewer ports. This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of colon cancer surgeries conducted using the da Vinci SP and Xi systems. Patients who underwent robotic colon cancer surgeries between November 2020 and December 2022 at two tertiary referral centers were considered for inclusion. Following propensity-score matching, short-term outcomes between the two systems were retrospectively analyzed. Out of 189 patients included in the study, 106 from 53 propensity-score matched pairs were analyzed. Patients operated on with the SP system exhibited smaller incision lengths (5.0 cm vs. 9.4 cm, p < 0.001) experienced less pain at 8 h (3.0 vs. 3.5, p < 0.001) and at 24 h post-operation (2.9 vs. 3.3, p = 0.001) and had a shorter duration of hospital stay (5 days vs. 6 days, p = 0.002). The overall rate of postoperative complications was 10.4%, with no significant difference between the SP and Xi groups (7.5% vs. 13.2%). Robotic-assisted colon cancer surgery using the da Vinci SP system is feasible and demonstrates favorable short-term outcomes. Compared to the Xi system, the SP system offers advantages in terms of cosmesis, postoperative pain, and recovery duration for colon cancer patients.

Direction of diagnosis and treatment improvement in colorectal cancer

Background: Cancer is a major public health problem and the leading cause of death in Korea since 2000. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death. Therefore, early detection through screening, surgical techniques improvement, anticancer drugs, adjuvant treatment, and medical resources advancement is important to reduce colorectal cancer-related mortality.Current Concepts: In Korea, the 5-year relative survival rate of patients with colorectal cancer is approximately mid-70%, which is superior to other developed countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan, with 60% to 68% because of the well performed screening program and technical improvement. Efforts are underway to conduct active endoscopic treatment for early colorectal cancer and identify cases requiring surgery. Minimally invasive surgery has evolved beyond conventional applications into disease-specific methods, and the robotic system has an important role for evolvement. Performing metastatic colorectal cancer efforts is necessary to improve the survival rate through active surgical treatment and gene therapy.Discussion and Conclusion: Eventually, the role of the patient’s genetic information in diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer is expected to increase. In some cases, diagnosing colorectal cancer using a non-invasive method is already realized. Active surgical treatment based on personal characteristics contributes in improving the treatment outcomes for difficult-to-treat metastatic colorectal cancer. After the period of overall colorectal cancer treatment results improvement, we will undertake the precision treatment era.

The clinical impact of robot-assisted laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery associated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has been performed in various fields, especially in the pelvic cavity. However, little is known about the utility of robot-assisted laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery associated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We herein report the clinical impact of robot-assisted laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery associated with RARP.

METHODS

We experienced five cases of robot-assisted laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery associated with RARP. One involved robot-assisted laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection with en bloc prostatectomy for T4b rectal cancer, and one involved robot-assisted laparoscopic intersphincteric resection combined with RARP for synchronous rectal and prostate cancer. The remaining three involved robot-assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection (RaLAR) after RARP. For robot-assisted laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery, the da Vinci Xi surgical system was used.

RESULTS

We could perform planned robotic rectal cancer surgery in all cases. The median operation time was 529 min (373-793 min), and the median blood loss was 307 ml (32-1191 ml). No patients required any transfusion in the intra-operative or immediate peri-operative period. The circumferential resection margin was negative in all cases. There were no complications of grade ≥III according to the Clavien-Dindo classification and no conversions to conventional laparoscopic or open surgery.

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery associated with RARP is feasible in patients with rectal cancer. The long-term surgical outcomes remain to be further evaluated.

Functional outcomes after sphincter-preserving surgeries for low-lying rectal cancer: A review

Sphincter preservation and organ restoration during rectal cancer surgery avoids permanent stoma creation and diminishes psychosocial damages. However, decreased rectal volumes and sphincter dysfunction—including pelvic nerve damage—results in low anterior resection syndrome, as well as urinary and sexual dysfunction after rectal resection. Bowel habit changes such as fecal incontinence, fecal urgency, frequent bowel movements, clustered stools, and difficulties in bowel emptying can be treated using medications, pelvic floor rehabilitation, sacral neuromodulation, or neorectal reservoir reconstruction. Pelvic nerve damage resulting from superior and inferior hypogastric plexi during sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery can induce urologic and sexual dysfunctions. Preoperative voiding difficulty, perioperative blood loss, and autonomic nerve injury are considered independent risk factors for postoperative urinary dysfunction. Retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, female dyspareunia, and vaginal dryness are manifestations of sexual dysfunction resulting from autonomic nerve injury during rectal cancer surgery. Multifactorial causes for functional outcomes after sphincter- preserving surgeries are considered to improve patient’s quality of life with acceptable oncologic outcomes in the treatment of rectal cancer patients.

Robotic Intersphincteric Resection for Low Rectal Cancer: Technical Controversies and a Systematic Review on the Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) is the ultimate anus-sparing technique for low rectal cancer and is considered an oncologically safe alternative to abdominoperineal resection. The application of the robotic approach to ISR (RISR) has been described by few specialized surgical teams with several differences regarding approach and technique. This review aims to discuss the technical aspects of RISR by evaluating point by point each surgical controversy. Moreover, a systematic review was performed to report the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of RISR. Postoperative morbidities after RISR are acceptable. RISR allows adequate surgical margins and adequate oncological outcomes. RISR may result in severe bowel and genitourinary dysfunction affecting the quality of life in a portion of patients.