Ann Surg Treat Res.  2015 Oct;89(4):190-201. 10.4174/astr.2015.89.4.190.

Robotic versus conventional laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

• Lee SH
• Lim S
• Kim JH
• Lee KY

• KMID: 2166889
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2015.89.4.190

Abstract

PURPOSE
Robotic surgery (RS) overcomes the limitations of previous conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS). Although meta-analyses have been published recently, our study evaluated the latest comparative surgical, urologic, and sexual results for rectal cancer and compares RS with CLS in patients with rectal cancer only.
METHODS
We searched three foreign databases (Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, and Cochrane Library) and five Korean databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, KISS, RISS, and KisTi) during July 2013. The Cochrane Risk of Bias and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized were utilized to evaluate quality of study. Dichotomous variables were pooled using the risk ratio (RR), and continuous variables were pooled using the mean difference (MD). All meta-analyses were conducted with Review Manager, V. 5.3.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies involving 2,224 patients were included. RS was associated with a lower rate of intraoperative conversion than that of CLS (RR, 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15-0.54). Time to first flatus was short (MD, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.25 to -0.01). Operating time was longer for RS than that for CLS (MD, 49.97; 95% CI, 20.43-79.52, I2 = 97%). International Prostate Symptom Score scores at 3 months better RS than CLS (MD, -2.90; 95% CI, -5.31 to -0.48, I2 = 0%). International Index of Erectile Function scores showed better improvement at 3 months (MD, -2.82; 95% CI, -4.78 to -0.87, I2 = 37%) and 6 months (MD, -2.15; 95% CI, -4.08 to -0.22, I2 = 0%).
CONCLUSION
RS appears to be an effective alternative to CLS with a lower conversion rate to open surgery, a shorter time to first flatus and better recovery in voiding and sexual function. RS could enhance postoperative recovery in patients with rectal cancer.

Keyword

Robotic surgical procedures; Rectal neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Bias (Epidemiology)
Flatulence
Humans
Laparoscopy*
Odds Ratio
Prostate
Rectal Neoplasms*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flow diagram of the study selection process. RS, robotic surgery; CLS, conventional laparoscopic surgery.

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  Fig. 2 The risk of bias for eligible randomized controlled trials.

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  Fig. 3 Forest plot and meta-analysis of conversion to open surgery. RS, robotic surgery; CLS, conventional laparoscopic surgery; M-H, Mantel-Haenszel; CI, confidence interval; df, degree of freedom.

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  Fig. 4 Forest plot and meta-analysis of time to first flatus. RS, robotic surgery; CLS, conventional laparoscopic surgery; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval; df, degree of freedom.

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  Fig. 5 Forest plot and meta-analysis of operation time. RS, robotic surgery; CLS, conventional laparoscopic surgery; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval; df, degree of freedom.

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  Fig. 6 Forest plot and meta-analysis of International Prostate Symptom Score 3 months after surgery. RS, robotic surgery; CLS, conventional laparoscopic surgery; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval; df, degree of freedom.

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  Fig. 7 Forest plot and meta-analysis of International Index of Erectile Function score change from baseline to 3 months after surgery. RS, robotic surgery; CLS, conventional laparoscopic surgery; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval; df, degree of freedom.

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  Fig. 8 Forest plot and meta-analysis of International Index of Erectile Function score change from baseline to 6 months after surgery. RS, robotic surgery; CLS, conventional laparoscopic surgery; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval; df, degree of freedom.

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  Fig. 9 Funnel plot of the studies used in the meta-analysis. IPSS, International Prostate Symptom Score; IIEF, International Index of Erectile Function; SE, standard error; MD, mean difference; RR, risk ratio.

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