Robotic versus laparoscopic right colectomy for colon cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jian-Chun Zheng; Shuai Zhao; Wei Chen; Jian-Xiang Wu

doi:10.5114/wiitm.2022.120960

Robotic versus laparoscopic right colectomy for colon cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne. 2023 Mar;18(1):20-30. doi: 10.5114/wiitm.2022.120960. Epub 2022 Nov 8.

Authors

Jian-Chun Zheng¹, Shuai Zhao², Wei Chen¹, Jian-Xiang Wu¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency, The Second Hospital of Jiaxing, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China.
² Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the short-term surgical outcomes of robotic right colectomy (RRC) with laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC) for colon cancer, to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the robotic surgery system.

Material and methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases regarding the comparison of RRC vs. LRC for colon cancer in the last 5 years. Studies were included as per the PICOS criteria, and relevant event data were extracted.

Results: Fifteen studies (RRC: 1116 patients; LRC: 4036 patients) were evaluated. RRC demonstrated lower conversion to laparotomy (p = 0.03) and shorter length of hospital stay (p = 0.01), compared with LRC. However, operation times were longer in RRC than in LRC (p < 0.001). The estimated blood loss, retrieved lymph nodes, and overall postoperative complications were similar between RRC and LRC (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: RRC can be regarded as a feasible and safe technique for colon cancer.

Keywords: colon cancer; laparoscopic; meta-analysis; right colectomy; robotic.