Robotic gastrectomy not effective in reducing infections risk in gastric cancer surgery: JAMA

Between April 1, 2018, and October 31, 2020, 241 patients with resectable gastric cancer (clinical stages I-III) were included in this phase 3 prospective superiority randomized clinical study of RG versus LG for complication reduction. 

The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications. Secondary endpoints were the incidence of any complications, surgical results, postoperative courses, and oncologic outcomes.  

 This study enrolled 241 patients, with 236 patients in the modified intention-to-treat population (150 men [63.6%]; mean age, 70.8 years). 

In conclusion, the above study shows that robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients does not minimize postoperative intra-abdominal problems.

Reference:

Ojima, T., Nakamura, M., Hayata, K., Kitadani, J., Katsuda, M., Takeuchi, A., Tominaga, S., Nakai, T., Nakamori, M., Ohi, M., Kusunoki, M., & Yamaue, H. (2021). Short-term Outcomes of Robotic Gastrectomy vs Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Patients With Gastric Cancer. JAMA Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2021.3182