Preliminary exploration of robotic complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer with the domestically produced Chinese minimally invasive Micro Hand S surgical robot system

Abstract

Objective: To summarize our initial experience with robot-assisted complete mesocolic excision (R-CME) using a domestically produced Chinese surgical robot by a short-term evaluation. Methods: From March 2018 to December 2018, 25 patients with colon cancer underwent Micro Hand S R-CME. The operative findings, morbidities and oncological findings were analysed. Result: The median operative duration was 210 (range, 180–235) min, and the median estimated blood loss volume was 55 (range, 25–125) ml. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 42 (range, 21–77), and the median length of hospital stay after the operation was 7 (range, 5–9) days. There were no severe complications except for seven cases of grade I complications and five cases of grade II complications. The conversion rate was 0%. There were no cases of 30-day readmission or 30-day mortality. Conclusion: R-CME using a domestically produced surgical robot for selected colon cancer patients is technically feasible and safe.