The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Effect of robotic-assisted vs conventional laparoscopic surgery on risk of conversion to open laparotomy among patients undergoing resection for rectal cancer. The ROLARR randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2017; 318: 1569-1580.

Published: 15th December 2017

Authors: Jayne D, Pigazzi A, Marshall H, Croft J, Corrigan N, Copeland J et al.

Conclusion

In this multicentre trial that included 471 procedures done by surgeons with variable experience of robotic surgery, there was no difference in the conversion rate to open surgery between robotic-assisted or laparoscopic procedures: 8.1 versus 12.2 per cent, respectively. The rates of clear resection margins were also similar.

Pubmed Link