Comparison of Single-Port and Multi-Port Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer: Similar Efficacy and Safety

Single-port robotic total mesorectal excision is comparable to multi-port robotic total mesorectal excision in terms of short-term clinical outcomes for rectal cancer treatment. A retrospective study of 128 patients found that the single-port system resulted in shorter operative times, smaller incision length, and shorter hospital stays. C-reactive protein levels were also lower in the single-port group. Both groups had similar rates of postoperative complications, with only slight differences in anastomotic leakage and positive circumferential resection margins. The study suggests that the single-port robot can be considered a surgical option for rectal cancer treatment.