Use of Robotics in Colorectal Surgery: An Initial Single-Centre Experience

Abstract

Background Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly recognised as a viable alternative to conventional open and laparoscopic techniques in colorectal cancer (CRC) management. This study presents a single-centre initial experience with the Versius® robotic system for colorectal resections between April 2023 and March 2024. Methodology A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a University Health Board in the United Kingdom, involving 56 patients who underwent robotic-assisted colorectal resections for CRC. Patients aged ≥18 years with radiologically and endoscopically confirmed non-metastatic CRC (American Joint Committee on Cancer stage T1-4, N0-2, M0) were included. Data on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were collected. Operative details included procedure type, console time, and estimated blood loss. Complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages; continuous variables as means ± SD or medians with interquartile ranges. Chi-square, independent t-tests, or Mann-Whitney U tests were used for group comparisons. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results The mean operative time was 131 ± 50.99 minutes. In-hospital complications occurred in 37.5% of patients, predominantly local (26.8%) over systemic (10.7%). No significant association was found between preoperative variables and postoperative complications. No perioperative mortality occurred. Conclusions The Versius® system demonstrates feasibility and safety for CRC resections, with acceptable complication rates and no mortality, supporting its use as a promising approach in robotic colorectal surgery.