European multicentre analysis of the implementation of robotic complete mesocolic excision for right-sided colon tumours

AIM: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) is an oncologically driven technique for treating right colon cancer. While laparoscopic CME is technically demanding and has been associated with more complications, the robotic approach might reduce morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of stepwise implementation of robotic CME.

METHOD: A multicentre retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on robotic right colectomy was performed at five European tertiary centres. Patients were classified for type of surgery: R-RHC (standard right colectomy), R-impCME (learning cases towards robotic CME defined as R-RHC with one but not all the hallmarks of CME) or R-CME (robotic CME). Primary outcomes were overall and severe 30-day complication rates before and after propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing robotic surgery for (pre)malignant lesions of the right colon between 2010 and 2020 were included: R-RHC (n = 101), R-impCME (n = 135) and R-CME (n = 315). Baseline characteristics differed for American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p = 0.0012) and preoperative diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001). Procedure time increased by surgical complexity (p < 0.001). Vascular event rates did not differ, with no superior mesenteric vein injuries. Conversion, complication and anastomotic leak rates, time to flatus/soft diet and length of stay (LOS) did not differ. While R-RHC was performed for a lower rate of malignancies (p < 0.001), lymph node yield was significantly higher in R-CME (p < 0.001). After PSM, analyses on 186 patients documented no differences in overall and severe 30-day complication rate, conversion rate, LOS or 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSION: R-CME can be implemented without increasing the overall or 30-day severe complication rate.