Single-Incision Robotic Surgery Exhibits Safety, Feasibility in Colorectal Cases

December 4, 2025|AVAHO

TOPLINE: A novel single-incision robotic surgery technique for colorectal procedures demonstrated feasibility with 0% conversion to open surgery rate; only 1 case required additional ports. The technique achieved a 30-day all-severity morbidity rate of 20% and major morbidity of 6%.

METHODOLOGY:

Researchers conducted a retrospective review to report a unique, single-incision robotic surgery technique that uses a fascial wound protector device and multiport robotic surgical system in colorectal surgery.
Analysis included 50 patients (60% women) with mean ages of 53.5 years and median BMI of 27.2 kg/m².
Study was performed at a single quaternary, urban, academic institution from December 2023 to April 2025.
Patients aged ≥ 18 years with colorectal indications who underwent robotic single-incision surgery using a Da Vinci multiport robotic platform were included.

TAKEAWAY:

Conversion to open surgery rate was 0%; 1 case required additional robotic ports.
The 30-day all-severity morbidity rate was 20%; 30-day major morbidity was 6%.
Pathologies treated included Crohn's disease (26%), diverticulitis (22%), colon cancer (16%), colostomy status (8%), and rectal cancer (4%).
Successful procedures included right-sided colectomies (14%), left-sided colectomies (28%), total colectomy (4%), rectal resection (4%), small bowel procedures (22%), and ostomy creation/reversal (18%).

IN PRACTICE: "Our rSIS technique utilizing a multiport robotic system is safe and feasible across a wide spectrum of colorectal procedures," wrote the study authors.

LIMITATIONS: According to the authors, reproducible successful completion of surgeries using this technique may be challenging in populations requiring deep pelvic dissections, especially in narrow male pelvis cases, and in patients with very high BMI and significant intra-abdominal adipose tissue.

DISCLOSURES: The authors report no financial support was received for this study and declare no competing interests.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.