Robotic Surgery for Colon and Rectal Cancer: Current Status, Recent Advances, and Future Directions

Purpose of Review The minimally invasive approach to colorectal cancers has been validated as providing oncologic outcomes comparable to open surgery. Current laparoscopic instrumentation, however, has its limitations especially in the performance of rectal cancer resections. Robotic surgery for colorectal cancers is an important addition to the technologies available to the surgeon. We review the literature and draw on our own experience to examine the advantages and disadvantages of robot-assisted surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancers and the evidence for the superior outcomes frequently cited and to identify subsets that may benefit the most.