Robotic approach for locally advanced rectal cancer: stepwise demonstration of operative strategy

Abstract

Increasingly, many studies have shown better short-term outcomes and equivalent oncological data in favor of laparoscopy when comparing to open surgery. However, locally advanced colorectal cancers present particular challenges due to the extensive nature of disease and variable experience of surgeons. Radical resection of locally advanced rectal cancer has proved to be a technically demanding procedure, occasionally requiring extensive resections. Robotic surgery has been successfully used for patients with advanced rectal cancer with equivalent oncologic results and superiority in avoiding operator fatigue. Currently, minimally invasive robotic surgery achieves faster recovery. However, the application of robotic surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer and multivisceral resection is not commonly reported .