Robotic total meso-rectal excision for rectal cancer: A systematic review following the publication of the ROLARR trial

Abstract

AIM: laparoscopic total meso-rectal excision (LTME). METHODS: LTME was analysed using the principles of meta-analysis. The operative, post-operative and oncological outcomes were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of both techniques of TME. The summated outcome of continuous variables was expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) and dichotomous data was presented in odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: = 0.53) were also comparable in both groups. The length of distal resection margins was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: RTME is feasible and oncologically safe but failed to demonstrate any superiority over LTME for many surgical outcomes except early passage of flatus, lower risk of conversion and shorter hospitalization.