Robot-Assisted Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery for colorectal disease has now become the standard treatment in Republic of Korea. However, there are limitations to the laparoscopic approach, such as an unstable camera support, a limited range of motion, and poor ergonomics. Recent advances in technology have led to the introduction of robotic surgical systems in colorectal surgery to overcome these shortcomings. Robot-assisted colorectal surgery has clear advantages in many aspects. Surgery involving the rectum benefits the most among colorectal diseases owing to technical difficulties in rectum dissection. The concept of robotic surgery is not different from laparoscopic surgery in that it is a minimally invasive surgery, and abundant research demonstrates comparable results from both modalities for postoperative complications, oncological outcomes, and functional outcomes. However, the cost of robot-assisted surgery limits surgeons to performing robotic surgeries in only selected cases. Improvements regarding cost-effectiveness and more convincing studies that support benefits of robotic surgery are needed to popularize robot-assisted colorectal surgery.

Emerging Infectious Diseases at the End of the Fourth Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Recent Updates on Colorectal and Pediatric Endocrine Diseases

“…Clinical guidelines for enhanced recovery following colorectal surgery have been A review published in this issue compares elements from two sets of guidelines: those of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery [6]. Key elements of the ERAS guidelines include preoperative optimization, anemia management, antimicrobial prophylaxis, prevention of intraoperative hypothermia, and thromboprophylaxis.…”