Meta-analysis of Robot-assisted Versus Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectal Cancer

Background/Aim: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate and compare the short- and long-term outcomes of robot-assisted (RAS) and conventional laparoscopic surgery (LAS) for rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE for relevant papers published between 2010 and December 2017 by using specific search terms. We analyzed outcomes over short- and long-term periods. Results: We identified 23 papers reporting results that compared RAS for rectal cancer with LAS. Our metaanalysis included 4,348 patients with rectal cancer; 2,068 had undergone RAS, and 2,280 had undergone LAS. In the short- and long-term period, 27 and 7 outcome variables were examined, respectively. RAS for rectal cancer was significantly associated with a greater operative time and a lower conversion rate to open surgery in the short-term, and results in almost similar outcomes in the long-term, compared to LAS. Conclusion: RAS may be an acceptable surgical treatment option compared to LAS for rectal cancer.