Comparison of robot-assisted and conventional laparoscopy for colorectal surgery for endometriosis: A prospective cohort study

Background: Our objective was to evaluate surgical outcomes of robotic compared to conventional laparoscopy for colorectal surgery for endometriosis.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study comparing robotic to conventional laparoscopy for colorectal endometriosis during an 18-month period. We included 61 patients in the robotic group and 61 patients in the conventional laparoscopy group.

Results: Regardless of the colorectal procedure, no differences were found between the groups for complications, blood loss, re-hospitalisation, surgical revision. Robotic surgery was associated with a higher operating time (208 ± 90 min vs. 169 ± 81 min, p = 0.01) and a higher rate of healthy margins (91% vs. 76%; p = 0.01). For the patients undergoing discoid or segmental resections, robotic surgery was associated with a lower intraoperative complication rate (2% vs. 14%; p = 0.04) without difference in operating time or in postoperative complication rates, including voiding dysfunction.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that the robotic route confer advantages for discoid and segmental resections.