ArticleSurgical endoscopy2012
Robot-assisted total mesorectal excision: is there a learning curve?
Article in Surgical endoscopy, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 44 papers, 8 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
44 citing papers in PubMed, 8 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 81 citations in OpenAlex.
- Robotic Beyond Total Mesorectal Excision (bTME) for locally advanced and recurrent anorectal cancer: a systematic review.Journal of robotic surgery · 2025Pooled it
- Robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC surgery · 2025Pooled it
- Impact of surgeon and hospital factors on length of stay after colorectal surgery systematic review.BJS open · 2022Pooled it
- The learning curve of laparoscopic, robot-assisted and transanal total mesorectal excisions: a systematic review.Surgical endoscopy · 2022Pooled it
- Learning curve in robotic rectal cancer surgery: current state of affairs.International journal of colorectal disease · 2016Pooled it
- Robotic-assisted surgery versus open surgery in the treatment of rectal cancer: the current evidence.Scientific reports · 2016Pooled it
- Laparoscopic natural orifice specimen extraction-colectomy: a systematic review.World journal of gastroenterology · 2014Pooled it
- Outcomes of robotic-assisted colorectal surgery compared with laparoscopic and open surgery: a systematic review.Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract · 2014Pooled it
- Initial adaptation to robotic rectal cancer surgery using the hinotori surgical robot system: a CUSUM analysis of certified proctor surgeons.Journal of robotic surgery · 2026Article
- Learning curve in robotic rectal cancer surgery: A national two-centre study.Journal of minimal access surgery · 2025Article
- Is the robotic revolution stunting surgical skills?Surgery open science · 2024Article
- The role of Da Vinci Xi robotic simulation curriculum in enhancing skills in robotic colorectal surgery.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2023Review
- Seniority of the assistant surgeon and perioperative outcomes in robotic-assisted proctectomy for rectal cancer.Journal of robotic surgery · 2023Article
- The robotic learning curve for a newly appointed colorectal surgeon.Journal of robotic surgery · 2023Article
- Assessing the learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision: a multicenter study considering procedural safety, pathological safety, and efficiency.International journal of colorectal disease · 2023Article
- Potential urinary function benefits of initial robotic surgery for rectal cancer in the introductory phase.Journal of robotic surgery · 2022Article
- Impact of laparoscopic surgical experience on the learning curve of robotic rectal cancer surgery.Surgical endoscopy · 2021Article
- Teaching and Training Surgeons in Robotic Colorectal Surgery.Clinics in colon and rectal surgery · 2021Review
- Safety with Innovation in Colon and Rectal Robotic Surgery.Clinics in colon and rectal surgery · 2021Review
- Competency-Based Education in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Colorectal Surgery.Clinics in colon and rectal surgery · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLaparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) is associated with a steep learning curve, but the learning curve for robotic TME is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve for robotic TME.
methodsBetween November 2004 and April 2009, 80 patients underwent robotic TME performed by a single surgeon. The operative experience was divided into two groups: group 1 (the first 40 cases) and group 2 (the subsequent 40 cases). Patient demographics, operative characteristics, and morbidities were compared.
resultsThe two patient populations selected did not differ statistically in age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative risk assessment, stage, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, or tumor location. The mean operative times in group 1 (310 min) and group 2 (297 min) were similar (p = 0.55), and the mean robotic TME time did not differ between the two groups (60 vs. 64 min; p = 0.65). In addition, the operative times did not improve during the course of the study. There were no differences in EBL, margin status, or number of lymph nodes harvested. Furthermore, there were no differences in conversion rate, time to resumption of diet, length of hospital stay, or postoperative complications.
conclusionRobot-assisted TME may attenuate the learning curve for laparoscopic rectal cancer resection. Further studies are necessary to establish the role of robotic surgery in minimally invasive rectal operations.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.