Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Stapler Use for Rectal Transection in Robotic Surgery for Cancer.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to compare the operative and short-term postoperative outcomes of the robotic and laparoscopic staplers in patients undergoing rectal surgery for cancer.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between December 2014 and April 2017, patients consecutively undergoing robotic rectal surgery for cancer were included in this study. Patients were grouped into two according to the type of staplers for rectal transection [Robotic (45-mm) versus Laparoscopic (60-mm) linear staplers]. Patient demographics, pathologic data, perioperative outcomes, and short-term results were compared.


RESULTS
One hundred seven patients met our inclusion criteria. The number of male patients were higher in robotic stapler group than in the laparoscopic stapler group (55% versus 76%, P = .03). Age (59 versus 63 years, P = .40), body mass index (27 versus 27 kg/m2, P = .60), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (2 versus 2, P = .20), number of prior abdominal operations (31% versus 20%, P = .22) and number of patients having neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (34% versus 36%, P = .86) were comparable between the groups. The numbers of cartridges used were similar regardless of the type of staplers (2 versus 2, P = .58). The overall complication was similar between the groups (24% versus 31%, P = .32). Leak rates were 5% (n = 2) and 3% (n = 2) in the robotic and laparoscopic stapler groups, respectively (p = 1). There was no mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study evaluating the role of robotic stapler specifically for rectal transection in comparative manner. The use of robotic stapler for rectal transection was safe and feasible in rectal surgery for cancer.
['Atasoy|Deniz|D|', 'Aytac|Erman|E|', 'Ozben|Volkan|V|', 'Bayraktar|Onur|O|', 'Erenler Bayraktar|Ilknur|I|', 'Aghayeva|Afag|A|', 'Baca|Bilgi|B|', 'Hamzaoglu|Ismail|I|', 'Karahasanoglu|Tayfun|T|']
D000368:Aged D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical D057868:Anastomotic Leak D005260:Female D006801:Humans D010535:Laparoscopy D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D012004:Rectal Neoplasms D012007:Rectum D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures D013528:Surgical Staplers D016896:Treatment Outcome
rectal surgery robotic stapler minimally invasive surgery