Outcome of Colorectal Robotic Surgery in Newly Established Robotic Surgery Center: A Case Series

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The robotic platform compared to laparoscopy has proven to have similar postoperative outcomes, however its adoption in the middle east has been slow and there is limited data regarding outcomes with its use in small newly established robotic colorectal programs. Our aim is to report our experience and outcomes of robotic colorectal surgery performed by fellowship-trained robotic colorectal surgeons and compare it to larger more experienced centers. Methods This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data between 11/2021 to 03/2023 from Jaber Al Ahmad hospital, a tertiary health care referral center. The study cohort included 51 patients who had robotic colorectal surgery. The outcomes were overall morbidity, serious morbidity, mortality, conversion to open, length of hospital stay and the quality of oncological specimen. Results Of 51 robotic colorectal surgery, our overall morbidity was 31.4% (n = 16 patients). Only 9.8% (n = 5) had serious morbidity of which three required interventions under general anesthesia. Our median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR = 4), and we had no mortality. Of 17 proctectomies for rectal cancer, we had 88% complete total Mesorectal excision, 15 of them were R0 resections, and our median lymph node harvested was 14 (IQR = 7). All our colon cancer resection had R0 resection and median lymph nodes harvested was 21 (IQR = 4). We had two conversion to open and no mortality. Conclusions The morbidity, mortality, conversion rates, and pathological specimens’ quality in new small robotic colorectal programs led by fellowship trained robotic colorectal surgeons can achieve comparable results to larger more established programs.