matsuoka hiroshi

When performing anterior resection for rectal cancer, a robotic technique that provides three-dimensional visualization and technical dexterity has been applied to overcome some limitations of conventional laparoscopic surgery. As of the end of March 2013, 56 patients have undergone robotic colorectal surgery at Fujita Health University. We herein introduce our fully-robotic technique with single cart position and report short-term outcomes concerning 43 cases of rectal cancer. The current status and problems regarding robotic surgery for colorectal cancer in the literature are also described. Although robotic surgery for colorectal cancer has been safe and feasible, the long operative time should be shortened by utilizing the learning-curve effect.