Comparison of Short-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Assisted Colon Cancer Surgery Using a Joystick-Guided Endoscope Holder (Soloassist II) or a Human Assistant

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted colon cancer surgery in the Soloassist II-assisted (SA) group and in the human-assisted (HA) group. Methods A total of 76 patients with colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy and anterior resection performed by a single surgeon between January 2017 and May 2018 were recruited from the consecutively enrolled registry and retrospectively analyzed. Results Of 76 patients, 43 underwent surgery with human assistance and 33 underwent surgery using the Soloassist II system. The clinicopathologic characteristics were not statistically different between the 2 groups. In both HA and SA groups, no statistical difference was observed between operation time (220.23 ± 47.83 minutes vs. 218.03 ± 38.22 minutes, P = 0.829), total number of harvested lymph nodes (20.42 ± 10.86 vs. 20.24 ± 8.21, P = 0.938), and other parameters of short-term outcomes (length of hospital stay, blood loss, open conversion, time to flatus, time to soft diet, and complication events). Subgroup analyses did not show statistical differences. Conclusion Soloassist II can reduce the participation of a human assistant during surgery and is not inferior to human assistance in laparoscopic-assisted colon cancer surgery. Thus, it is a feasible instrument in laparoscopic-assisted colon cancer surgery that can provide positive short-term outcomes.

Solo surgery laparoscopic intersphinteric resection (ISR) for Roullier type II low rectal cancer – Video correspondence

“…Short-term oncological results comparable to those of conventional surgery have previously been reported in the literature [6].…”

Solo surgery for low rectal cancer: trans‐circular anal dilator low rectal dissection associated with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision—A Video Vignette

“…Few published reports document solo surgery in colorectal cancer [3, 5]. Short‐term oncological results comparable to those of conventional surgery have been shown in the literature [6]. Solo surgery trans‐circular anal dilator (trans‐CAD) low rectal dissection associated with solo surgery laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for low rectal cancer has never been described.…”

Evaluation of the Efficiency of a Joystick-Guided Robotic Scope Holder Compared to That of Human Scopists: A Prospective Trial

“…The SOLOASSIST II (AKTORmed, Barbing, Germany), a joystick-guided robotic scope holder, is a flexible, ergonomic, and easy-to-use system driven by computercontrolled electric motors, and its usefulness and feasibility have recently been reported in the clinical setting. [8][9][10][11] They provide the operator with intuitive scope manipulation with stable operative fields.…”