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The Landmark Series: Minimally Invasive (Laparoscopic and Robotic) Colorectal Cancer Surgery

  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Current high-quality evidence supports the routine use of the laparoscopic approach for patients with colon cancer. Laparoscopic colectomy is associated with earlier resumption of gastrointestinal function and shorter hospital stay, with no increased morbidity or mortality. Pathology and long-term oncologic outcomes are similar to those achieved with open surgery. The absolute benefits of laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer are still under evaluation. While its safety in terms of early postoperative clinical outcomes has been confirmed, two recent randomized controlled trial (RCTs) have questioned its routine use even in expert hands, since its non-inferiority has not been demonstrated when compared with the gold standard of open surgery. Furthermore, the impact of robotic technology is still unclear, since the only RCT available so far failed to demonstrate any benefits compared with standard laparoscopic rectal resection.

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No funds, grants, or support was received to complete the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy

    Marco E. Allaix MD, PhD & Fabrizio Rebecchi MD

  2. Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, 3409 Worth Street. Worth Tower, Suite 640, Dallas, TX, 75246, USA

    Alessandro Fichera MD, FACS, FASCRS

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  1. Marco E. Allaix MD, PhD
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  2. Fabrizio Rebecchi MD
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  3. Alessandro Fichera MD, FACS, FASCRS
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Correspondence to Alessandro Fichera MD, FACS, FASCRS.

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Allaix, M.E., Rebecchi, F. & Fichera, A. The Landmark Series: Minimally Invasive (Laparoscopic and Robotic) Colorectal Cancer Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol 27, 3704–3715 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-020-08833-8

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