Implementation of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision by multiple surgeons in a large teaching hospital: Morbidity, long-term oncological and functional outcome.

Background: Robot-assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) might offer benefits in less morbidity, better functional and long-term outcome over laparoscopic TME.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing robot-assisted TME for rectal cancer during implementation between May 2015 and December 2019 performed by five surgeons in a single centre were included. Outcomes included local recurrence rate at 3 years, conversion rate, circumferential resection margin (CRM) positivity rate, 30-day postoperative morbidity and outcomes of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) questionnaires.

Results: In 105 robot-assisted TME, local recurrence rate at 3 years was 7.4%, conversion to open surgery rate was 8.6%, CRM positivity rate was 5.7%, 73.3% had good quality specimen, postoperative morbidity rate was 47.6% and anastomotic leakage rate was 9.0%. Incidence of major LARS was 55.3%.

Conclusions: results of this study described acceptable morbidity, functional and long-term outcome during implementation of robotic TME for rectal cancer by multiple surgeons in a single centre.