Abstract:
Objective To assess the role of an innovative technique in preventing anastomotic leakage (AL) in rectal cancer patients undergoing robotic low anterior resection (LAR).
Methods From May 2012 to May 2017, we included 601 patients who underwent robotic LAR: 410 patients underwent the innovative technique (PST group) and 191 patients were control subjects (non-PST group). We analyzed and compared the AL rate and short-term and long-term outcomes between the groups.
Results Using the ISREC grading system, the overall rate of AL was 6.8% (5.7% for Grade B and 1.1% for Grade C). The PST group had a lower incidence of overall AL (5.1% vs. 10.5%, P=0.015) and Grade C AL (0.2% vs. 3.2%, P=0.005) and lower rates of reoperation (2.7% vs. 6.3%, P=0.038) than the non-PST group; furthermore, both groups had similar surgical complication rates (17.3% vs. 20.9%, P=0.286). Short-term recovery and longterm oncological outcomes did not significantly differ between the two groups. Using multivariate Logistic regression models, the risk factors of AL in robotic LAR were the non-PST technique, an estimated blood loss ≥100 mL, anastomosis from anal verge < 5 cm, and a distal resection margin from tumors < 2 cm.
Conclusions The innovative PST technique may be an effective method in preventing the occurrence of AL in robotic LAR.