Open surgery for colorectal cancer has long been known to cause significantly more post-operative pain and a longer recovery period than minimally-invasive techniques. A Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center team in Boston recently published findings in the Journal of Robotic Surgery, which reveal that patients who underwent robotic colorectal procedures recovered with less pain and lower opioid use, plus returned to work almost 2-days earlier than laparoscopic patients.
Data from 571 patients, (comprising 4-years of procedures ending in 2022), were studied. The procedures involved removing effected portions of the colon and rectum containing cancer.
From the Abstract: "The robotic approach to colorectal resections is associated with significantly less postoperative pain, decreased opioid requirements, and earlier return to work when compared to laparoscopy..."
To read the complete Journal of Robotic Surgery report, please use the following information: Yael Berger et al, Robotic colorectal resections are associated with less postoperative pain, decreased opioid use, and earlier return to work as compared to the laparoscopic approach, Journal of Robotic Surgery (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11701-024-02054-x
