Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision using a Wristed Suctionirrigation Device for Efficient Traction and Visualization

Abstract

In rectal cancer surgery, gentle opening of the plane by continuous traction and optimized visualization is essential. Recently, a wristed robotic suction-irrigation device was developed for efficient traction of the rectum and good surgical visualization. This video shows a technique of robotic total mesorectal excision using a wristed robotic suction-irrigation device. A 74-year-old woman with rectal cancer had a biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma within 9 cm of the anal verge. She underwent totally robotic total mesorectal excision using a dual-docking technique. Total procedure time was 445 minutes. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 without any complications. Total number of lymph nodes harvested was 12, and proximal and distal resection margins were 11.2 and 4.7 cm, respectively. Totally robotic total mesorectal excision using a wristed robotic suction-irrigation device was an efficient and useful procedure for rectal cancer.