Robotic rectal surgery: Outcomes of the first 102 totally robotic cases handled using the single-docking technique in a reference institution.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rectal cancer is often surgically treated, but it is still associated with morbidity rates. Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly being used to reduce complications, and the use of such techniques can be found in the literature. This study aims to report our experience in a reference oncology center. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on a prospective database of patients who underwent robotic surgery for rectal cancer using the single-docking technique from September 2014 to April 2018. Clinical and surgical variables, as well as morbidity and mortality rates, were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients underwent robotic surgery. Intraoperative complications occurred in six patients (4.9%), and postoperative complications in 24 patients (23.5%), of which anastomotic fistula represented 3.9%. The conversion rate was 1.96%. Two cases (1.9%) faced death within 30 days. The median length of hospitalization was 3 days. The median number of lymph nodes dissected was 15. Clinical and surgical data were correlated with postoperative complications, and no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery is a safe and feasible approach to manage rectal cancer. The method presents satisfactory results with regard to the rate of operative complications, conversion rate, oncologic outcomes, and length of hospitalization.

Colorectal robotic surgery: INCA's experience / Cirurgia robótica colorretal: experiência do INCA

ABSTRACT Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized surgical management in the treatment of colorectal neoplasms, reducing morbidity and mortality, hospitalization, inactivity time and minimizing cost, as well as providing adequate oncological results when compared to the conventional approach. Robotic surgery, with Da Vinci Platform, emerges as a step ahead for its potentials. The objective of this article is to report the single institutional experience with the use of Da Vinci Platform in robotic colorectal surgeries performed at a reference center in oncological surgery in Brazil. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the prospective database of patients from the institution submitted to robotic surgery for treatment of colorectal cancer from July 2012 to September 2017. Clinical and surgical variables were analyzed as predictors of morbidity and mortality. Results: A total of 117 patients underwent robotic surgery. The complications related to surgery occurred in 33 patients (28%), the most frequent being anastomotic fistula and surgical wound infection, which corresponded to 11% and 3%, respectively. Conversion rate was 1.7%. Median length of stay was 5 days. The only variable associated with increase of complications and death risk was BMI >30, with p-value of 0.038 and 0.027, respectively. Conclusion: Robotic surgery is safe and feasible for approaching colorectal cancer surgeries, presenting satisfactory results regarding length of hospital stay and rate of operative complications, as well as presenting a low rate of conversion. Obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for surgical complication in robotic colorectal surgery.

RESUMO Introdução: A cirurgia minimamente invasiva revolucionou o tratamento cirúrgico no manejo das neoplasias colorretais, reduzindo a morbidade e mortalidade, a hospitalização, o tempo de inatividade e minimizando os custos, além de fornecer resultados oncológicos adequados quando comparada à abordagem convencional. A cirurgia robótica, com a Plataforma Da Vinci, surge como um passo à frente por seus potenciais. O objetivo deste artigo é relatar a experiência institucional única com o uso da Plataforma Da Vinci em cirurgias robóticas colorretais realizadas em um centro de referência em cirurgia oncológica no Brasil. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo, baseado na base de dados prospectiva de pacientes da instituição que foram submetidos à cirurgia robótica para tratamento de câncer colorretal, de julho de 2012 a setembro de 2017. As variáveis clínicas e cirúrgicas foram analisadas como preditores de morbidade e mortalidade. Resultados: Um total de 117 pacientes foram submetidos à cirurgia robótica. As complicações relacionadas à cirurgia ocorreram em 33 pacientes (28%), sendo as mais frequentes fístula anastomótica e infecção da ferida cirúrgica, correspondendo a 11% e 3%, respectivamente. A taxa de conversão foi de 1,7%. O tempo mediano de permanência foi de 5 dias. A única variável associada ao aumento de complicações e risco de óbito foi o IMC >30, com p-valor de 0,038 e 0,027, respectivamente. Conclusão: A cirurgia robótica é segura e viável para a abordagem de cirurgias de câncer colorretal, apresentando resultados satisfatórios quanto ao tempo de internação hospitalar e taxa de complicações operatórias, além de apresentar baixo índice de conversão. A obesidade tem se mostrado um fator de risco para complicações cirúrgicas na cirurgia colorretal robótica.