Restorative resection in robot-assisted versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Br J SurgOct 5, 2026
Charlotte M S Genders, Jory Wentink, Ritch T J Geitenbeek et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the outcomes of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision (R-TME) versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (L-TME) in rectal cancer surgery, involving 7133 patients across 20 studies. The analysis found that R-TME is associated with a higher likelihood of restorative surgery (OR 1.43) while maintaining a similar safety profile.
Key findings
- R-TME is associated with a higher likelihood of restorative surgery compared to L-TME (OR 1.43).
- In studies post-2020, the likelihood of restorative surgery with R-TME increased significantly (OR 2.86).
- R-TME showed a lower conversion rate compared to L-TME (OR 0.37).
- No significant differences were found in anastomotic leakage or postoperative complications.
Why it matters
Understanding the comparative effectiveness of R-TME versus L-TME is crucial for surgical decision-making in rectal cancer, as it may influence the choice of surgical technique and patient outcomes.