Robotic surgery significantly enhances 3-year relapse-free survival in rectal cancer compared to laparoscopic techniques.

• 3-year relapse-free survival was 83.6% for robotic surgery versus 78.2% for laparoscopic surgery (hazard ratio 0.72).
• Pathological complete resection rates were higher with robotics (98.2% vs. 95.3%).

Robotic procedures may also reduce complications, with comparable rates (28.4% vs. 32.0%).

• Efficacy may be greater in male patients and those with T4 tumors.