Synchronous robotic resection for colorectal liver metastasis

Abstract

Surgical resection remains the only curative therapy for colorectal adenocarcinoma and liver metastasis. Synchronous robotic resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) offers the advantage of avoiding double surgical stress, while providing the benefits of small incision, quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay and faster postoperative adjuvant therapy. Compared with the laparoscopic approach, robotic approach is mostly suitable for rectal cancer liver metastasis, which is associated with low conversion rate, good nerve protection, high success rate for major hepatectomy and resection of difficult segments. Appropriately selected patients, multidisciplinary cooperation and skillful robotic surgeons are the key to success. Current data have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of synchronous robotic resection for CRLM. With the coming randomized controlled trial data and evolution of robotic surgical system, the future of synchronous robotic resection for colorectal liver metastasis is promising.