A prospective study of robotic rectal surgery for carcinoma rectum assessing the functional and oncological outcomes: Hype or hope?

661 Background: Robotic surgical systems have dramatically changed minimally invasive surgery as they could potentially address limitations of laparoscopic rectal surgery. This prospective observational study is conducted to evaluate the safety, technique, and outcomes (operative, postoperative,functional and oncological long term) of robotic-assisted rectal surgery for carcinoma rectum in the Indian set up. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted between 2010 and 2018, including 135 patients, diagnosed of rectal carcinoma. Patients underwent robotic rectal cancer surgery in form of either low anterior resection (LAR) or abdominoperineal resection (APR). Intraoperative, postoperative data were analysed. Results: Out of 135 patients, 67.5% were male, aged between 34-80 years, 85% had ECOG 0. All patients had adenocarcinoma rectum, with 15% mid rectum and 55% in lower rectum. 85% had stage III disease. 77.5% had received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. 82.5% had LAR and 17.5% APR. Average operative time including docking time and surgery time was 226.32 min (170-300 min), mean blood loss was 146.76 ml (120-200 ml), there were 3 conversion to open surgery. Bowel sounds appeared on average on 3rd day. All margins were negative in all patients, mesorectal grade was complete in 95% and near complete in 5%. Mean number of lymph nodes harvested is 9.5 (2-32). Complete pathological response rate was 39%. 2 patients had anastomotic dehiscence after 1 month. Minor complications were noticed in 10% patients. All had acceptable quality of life and well retained bladder function, with 18% sexual dysfunction. Five year DFS was 85% and OS was 94%. Local recurrence was 2.1%. Conclusions: This is one of the largest single center Indian data available. In conclusion, robotic rectal surgery has several benefits in the treatment and should be part of the armamentarium of the experienced surgeon dealing with rectal cancer. We conclude that the robotic-assisted rectal cancer surgery is safe and an oncologically feasible technique with well retained functional outcomes and has lived up to its hope.