A Three-Arm (Laparoscopic, Hand-Assisted, and Robotic) Matched-Case Analysis of Intraoperative and Postoperative Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

In this 3-arm case-matched series, the robotic approach results in short-term outcomes comparable to conventional and hand-assisted laparoscopic approaches for benign and malignant diseases of the rectum and rectosigmoid. With 3-dimensional visualization, additional freedom of motion, and improved ergonomics, this enabling technology may play an important role when performing colorectal procedures involving the pelvic anatomy.