Colorectal procedures were identified by location – right and left colectomies, which comprise the majority of colorectal cancer surgeries, and low anterior resections, which involve the rectum. Textbook outcome was defined as the absence of 30-day complications, readmission, and mortality, and a postoperative length of stay of fewer than five days.

The study found that 71% of the robotic procedures for right colectomies resulted in textbook outcomes compared with 64% for laparoscopic treatments. The results were similar for left colectomies at 75% versus 68%.


Only low anterior resection procedures fared better with laparoscopy, with the study showing that the use of robotic surgery in those cases led to higher rates of postoperative ileus (11.9% versus 10.5%), hospital readmission (10.4% versus 9.1%), and major morbidity (7.1% versus 5.8%), with comparable rates of textbook outcomes (68% versus 67%). While the exact reason for the discrepancy can’t be determined with current data, Dr. Polanco said he believes that these small differences favoring the laparoscopic approach correspond to the higher complexity of rectal resections and surgeons’ longer experience with the procedure.

“The growth in robotic surgery and the alarming increase in colorectal cancer in younger adults are two of the most significant trends we have seen in recent years, both of which highlight the importance of optimizing surgical treatment strategies,” Dr. Polanco said. “These findings are critical because they give us a deeper understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of robotic surgery and can help patients and their surgical teams make informed decisions regarding their treatment.”

The study builds on earlier research at UTSW on the benefits of robotic surgery in the treatment of pancreas and liver cancer. Dr. Polanco’s work is supported by the Eugene P. Frenkel, M.D. Scholar Award from Simmons Cancer Center.

Other UTSW researchers from Surgery who contributed to this study are Herbert J. Zeh III, M.D., Chair and Professor of Surgery; Javier Salgado, M.D., Associate Professor and Section Chief of Colorectal Surgery; Emile Farah, M.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow; Andres A. Abreu, M.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow; and Benjamin Rail, B.S. Dr. Zeh holds the Hall and Mary Lucile Shannon Distinguished University Chair in Surgery.


About UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern, one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty members have received six Nobel Prizes and include 26 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 21 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 13 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of more than 3,100 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in more than 80 specialties to more than 120,000 hospitalized patients, more than 360,000 emergency room cases, and oversee nearly 5 million outpatient visits a year.

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