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

Robotic versus laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Surg 2018; 267: 1034-1046.

Published: 9th August 2018

Authors: Prete FP, Pezzolla A, Prete F, Testini M, Marzaioli R, Patriti A et al.

Conclusion

There were five trials that included 671 procedures. Robotic surgery was associated with a lower conversion rate (relative risk 0.58, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.35 to 0.97, P=0.04), and longer procedures (mean increase 38 min, P<0.00001). Other outcomes including margin involvement and number of lymph nodes collected was equivalent.

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