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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Jan;36(1):32-46.
doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08782-7. Epub 2021 Nov 1.

Short-term outcomes in robot-assisted compared to laparoscopic colon cancer resections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pedja Cuk  1   2 , Mie Dilling Kjær  3 , Christian Backer Mogensen  4 , Michael Festersen Nielsen  5   4 , Andreas Kristian Pedersen  4 , Mark Bremholm Ellebæk  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Short-term outcomes in robot-assisted compared to laparoscopic colon cancer resections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pedja Cuk et al. Surg Endosc. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Robot-assisted surgery is increasingly adopted in colorectal surgery. However, evidence for the implementation of robot-assisted surgery for colon cancer is sparse. This study aims to evaluate the short-term outcomes of robot-assisted colon surgery (RCS) for cancer compared to laparoscopic colon surgery (LCS).

Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library were searched between January 1, 2005 and October 2, 2020. Randomized clinical trials and observational studies were included. Non-original literature was excluded. Primary endpoints were anastomotic leakage rate, conversion to open surgery, operative time, and length of hospital stay. Secondary endpoints were surgical efficacy and postoperative morbidity. We evaluated risk of bias using RoB2 and ROBINS-I quality assessment tools. We performed a pooled analysis of primary and secondary endpoints. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2, and possible causes were explored by sensitivity- and meta-regression analyses. Publication bias was evaluated by Funnel plots and Eggers linear regression test. The level of evidence was assessed by GRADE.

Results: Twenty studies enrolling 13,799 patients (RCS 1740 (12.6%) and LCS 12,059 (87.4%) were included in the meta-analysis that demonstrated RCS was superior regarding: anastomotic leakage (odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95% CI [0.32, 0.94]), conversion (OR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.23, 0.41]), overall complication rate (OR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.73, 1.00]) and time to regular diet (MD = - 0.29, 95% CI [- 0.56, 0.02]). LCS proved to have a shortened operative time compared to RCS (MD = 42.99, 95% CI [28.37, 57.60]). Level of evidence was very low according to GRADE.

Conclusion: RCS showed advantages in colonic cancer surgery regarding surgical efficacy and morbidity compared to LCS despite a predominant inclusion of non-RCT with serious risk of bias assessment and a very low level of evidence.

Keywords: Colon cancer; Laparoscopy; Minimally invasive surgery; Robot-assisted surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Pedja Cuk, Mie Dilling Kjær, Mark Bremholm Ellebæk, Michael Festersen Nielsen, Christian Backer Mogensen, Andreas Kristian Pedersen have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart of study selection process
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of anastomotic leakage
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot of conversion rate to open surgery
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot of length of hospital stay
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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