ABSTRACT
The value of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is still controversially discussed. Robotics offers the opportunity to leave the limitations of conventional laparoscopy behind us. The three-dimensional visualization and the superior dexterity by wristed instruments should be particularly helpful in complex laparoscopic procedures in confined spaces such as the small pelvis. Colorectal resections using the Da Vinci® system are well established and becoming increasingly more standard procedures. Nerve-sparing total mesorectal excision in patients with rectal cancer, total mesocolic excision in patients with right-sided colon cancer and rectopexy in patients with pelvic floor insufficiency are the most promising indications. The prospective randomized ROLARR study has been evaluating the application of the Da Vinci® system in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery since 2011. Besides the currently available clinical data the perioperative and intraoperative logistics and strategy will be presented in detail.
