Implementation of a Robotic Colorectal Surgery Program: Early Outcomes from a Tertiary Referral Center
- 1Department of Surgery, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
- 2Interdepartmental Unit of Digestive and Operative Endoscopy (UOSD), Department of Surgery, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
Abstract
Background: Robotic-assisted colorectal surgery is increasingly adopted; however, evidence regarding outcomes during the early implementation phase remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and short-term outcomes of a newly established robotic colorectal surgery program at a tertiary referral center. Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing robotic colorectal resection between November 2019 and February 2026 were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative outcomes, conversion rates, postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality, and histopathological results were assessed. Results: A total of 177 patients were included, with a progressive increase in surgical volume over time. Most procedures were performed for oncological indications (159, 90%), while 18 (10%) were performed for benign diseases. The most frequent procedures were right hemicolectomy (45%), left hemicolectomy (32%), and low anterior rectal resection (23%). Mean operative time was 331.1 ± 75.0 min. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 15 patients (8.5%), mainly due to extensive intra-abdominal adhesions, particularly during the early phase of the program. Postoperative complications occurred in 20 patients (11%), while 3 patients (2%) died during hospitalization. Major complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ III) occurred in 7%, and anastomotic leakage in 3%. Mean hospital stay was 10.1 ± 7.6 days. R0 resection was reported in all cases, with adequate lymph-node retrieval for staging. Conclusions: In this single-center, non-comparative series, robotic colorectal surgery was feasible during program implementation, with acceptable short-term perioperative outcomes. Comparative studies are needed to determine its relative performance compared with laparoscopy.
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BibTeX
@article{cicioni2026implementation,
title = {{Implementation of a Robotic Colorectal Surgery Program: Early Outcomes from a Tertiary Referral Center}},
author = {Gaia Cicioni and Immacolata Iannone and Daniele Crocetti and Michelangelo Miccini and Daniele Biacchi and Enrico Spalice and Antonietta Lamazza and Michele Marchese and Enrico Fiori and Paolo Sapienza},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15208097},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/8097},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Implementation of a Robotic Colorectal Surgery Program: Early Outcomes from a Tertiary Referral Center
AU - Gaia Cicioni
AU - Immacolata Iannone
AU - Daniele Crocetti
AU - Michelangelo Miccini
AU - Daniele Biacchi
AU - Enrico Spalice
AU - Antonietta Lamazza
AU - Michele Marchese
AU - Enrico Fiori
AU - Paolo Sapienza
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15208097
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/8097
AB - Background: Robotic-assisted colorectal surgery is increasingly adopted; however, evidence regarding outcomes during the early implementation phase remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and short-term outcomes of a newly established robotic colorectal surgery program at a tertiary referral center. Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing robotic colorectal resection between November 2019 and February 2026 were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative outcomes, conversion rates, postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality, and histopathological results were assessed. Results: A total of 177 patients were included, with a progressive increase in surgical volume over time. Most procedures were performed for oncological indications (159, 90%), while 18 (10%) were performed for benign diseases. The most frequent procedures were right hemicolectomy (45%), left hemicolectomy (32%), and low anterior rectal resection (23%). Mean operative time was 331.1 ± 75.0 min. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 15 patients (8.5%), mainly due to extensive intra-abdominal adhesions, particularly during the early phase of the program. Postoperative complications occurred in 20 patients (11%), while 3 patients (2%) died during hospitalization. Major complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ III) occurred in 7%, and anastomotic leakage in 3%. Mean hospital stay was 10.1 ± 7.6 days. R0 resection was reported in all cases, with adequate lymph-node retrieval for staging. Conclusions: In this single-center, non-comparative series, robotic colorectal surgery was feasible during program implementation, with acceptable short-term perioperative outcomes. Comparative studies are needed to determine its relative performance compared with laparoscopy.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -