Comparison of robot-assisted, open, and laparoscopic-assisted surgery for cholangiocarcinoma: a network meta-analysis

PurposeThe aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of robot-assisted, laparoscopic-assisted and open surgery in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, and to evaluate the clinical effect of three surgical methods in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma by network Meta-analysis.MethodsA systematical retrieval in PubMed and Web of Science was performed for relative literature on the effects of robot-assisted(RA), laparoscopy-assisted(LA), and open surgery(OA) for cholangiocarcinoma in treating cholangiocarcinoma. A literature search updated to September 1st, 2024, was performed.ResultsStudies have shown that the length of R0 resection, complication rate, 30-day mortality, Transfusion rate, Lymph Node Metastasis Rate, and hospital stay in RA are superior to LA and open surgery. The relative effectiveness of the three surgical methods in terms of operation time were: open surgery, laparoscope-assisted surgery, and robot-assisted surgery, and there was no significant difference among the three groups.ConclusionRobot-assisted surgery is safe and feasible in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, but more clinical evidence is needed to confirm these findings.