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.