Robotic versus laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for patients with low rectal cancer: Short-term outcomes.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the short-term outcomes between laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (L-ISR) and robotic intersphincteric resection (R-ISR) for low rectal cancer.

Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective clinical analysis between August 2018 and August 2021 at the Department Of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School.

Results: A total of 28 patients were recruited in this research. Among these patients, there were 12 patients who underwent L-ISR and assigned to L-ISR group, and the remaining 16 patients underwent R-ISR and assigned to R-ISR group. The time to start oral fluids, time to start soft diet and time to first motion in R-ISR group were earlier than those in L-ISR group (P < 0.05). The hospital stay in R-ISR group was shorter than that in L-ISR group (P < 0.05). However, the operation time of R-ISR was longer compared to L-ISR group (P < 0.05). Most important of all, the Kelly score in R-ISR group was 5.1 ± 0.9, which was higher than that in L-ISR group (P = 0.004).

Conclusion: R-ISR is safe and feasible for patients with low rectal cancer. R-ISR is superior to L-ISR despite the operation time of R-ISR is longer. A randomised controlled trial will be performed to confirm the conclusion further.