Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery: a single institutional experience

Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (R-TAMIS) is a novel and evolving technique with limited reported outcomes in the literature. Compared to the laparoscopic approach, R-TAMIS provides enhanced optics, increased degrees of motion, superior ergonomics, and easier maneuverability in the confines of the rectum. We report a single institution experience at a large quaternary referral academic medical center with R-TAMIS using the da Vinci Xi® platform. This is a retrospective review of electronic medical records at the Mayo Clinic from September 2017 to April 2020. It includes all available clinical documentations for patients undergoing R-TAMIS at our institution. Patient demographics, intraoperative data (procedure time, tumor size and distance), complications, and pathology reports were reviewed. A total of 28 patients underwent R-TAMIS. Median follow-up was 23.65 months. Sixteen patients underwent R-TAMIS for endoscopically unresectable rectal polyps, eight for rectal adenocarcinoma, two for rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and two for rectal carcinoid tumor. The mean size of the lesions was 4.1 cm (range 0.2–13.8 cm). The mean location of lesions was 7.8 cm (range 0–16 cm) from the anal verge. The mean operative time was 132.5 ± 46.8 min. There was one 30-day complication, and no deaths. Twenty-three (82%) patients were discharged the day of surgery. R-TAMIS is a safe, feasible, and effective technique for the surgical treatment of a variety of rectal pathology. A hybrid technique can be used for the resecting tumors extending into the anal canal.