Comparing robotic and laparoscopic surgery to treat right colon cancer

This study compared robotic and laparoscopic complete mesocolic surgery (CMS) in patients with colon cancer. Researchers suggested that both surgeries were safe and associated with excellent outcomes.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US. After the standard treatment, 30 to 40% of the patients experience recurrence. Complete mesocolic surgery (CMS) involves removal of the tumor and all the surrounding tissue. Prior studies showed that this method is associated with better outcomes.

CMS can be performed either through laparoscopic or robotic surgery. In the laparoscopic surgery, the doctor removes the tumor by inserting a cable with a camera into the body. Robotic arms are used through small openings in the body to perform robotic CMS. This type of surgery is associated with improved vision, less tremor, and more precision when compared to laparoscopic surgery. However, there are no studies comparing both types of CMS in patients with right colon cancer.

This study included information about 202 patients with right colon cancer. 101 patients received robotic CMS (group1). The other 101 patients received laparoscopic CMS (group 2).

In group 1, no patients had to change to a standard open surgery. In group 2, 6.9% of the patients needed the procedure to be changed to conventional colon surgery. Group 1 had a longer surgery time (279 minutes) when compared to group 2 (236 minutes).

The 5-years overall survival was 77 months for group 1 and 73 months for group 2. Disease-free survival (the percentage of patients with no signs of cancer after treatment) was 85% for group 1 and 83% for group 2.

The authors concluded that both robotic and laparoscopic CMS were safe and resulted in excellent outcomes. 

This study included data from medical records. Also, all surgeries were performed by only one surgeon. Further research in more institutions is needed for more conclusive evidence.