Comparison of short-term outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic right colectomy for patients ≥ 65 years of age: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Robotic right colectomy (RRC) has been researched and compared in the past to the laparoscopic approach (LRC). However, it remains unclear whether RRC outperforms LRC in patients aged 65 or older with colon cancer or adenoma. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the short-term outcomes of RRC to LRC in this particular age group. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched for related literature. Studies and data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Inverse variances weighted mean differences (WMD) with random effects model were used for continuous values, and odds ratios (OR) with random effects model using the Mantel-Haenszel's formula were used for dichotomous values. Heterogeneity using Higgins I and p values were calculated. A sensitivity analysis was performed for operative duration and number of harvested lymph nodes. In total 382 patients, 157 in RRC and 225 in LRC, were included in this study. A statistically significant increase of 43.91 min [95%CI: 19.61, 68.22], P = 0.001, was observed regarding operative duration in the RRC group, compared to LRC, but with high heterogeneity, I = 89%. However, a statistically significant decrease of 42% [OR = 0.58 (0.34, 0.98), P = 0.04, I=2%] was observed with regard to overall complications in RRC compared to LRC. Non-significant differences between the two approaches were observed in the number of harvested lymph nodes [WMD = 0.44 (95%CI: -3.94, 4.82), P = 0.85, I = 52%], wound infections [OR = 0.63 (95%CI: 0.11, 3.52), P = 0.60, I = 13%], rate of ileus [OR = 0.29 (95%CI: 0.08, 1.00), P = 0.05, I = 0%], length of hospitalization [WMD = 0.18 (95%CI: - 0.74, 1.11), P = 0.70, I = 0%], and anastomotic leakage [OR = 0.52 (95%CI: 0.09, 3.11), P = 0.47, I = 0%]. The results of the operative duration and number of harvested lymph nodes remained statistically significant and non-significant, respectively, after sensitivity analysis. Robotic right colectomy appears to require a longer operative duration, but possibly offers lower rates of overall complications, compared to laparoscopic right colectomy in patients ≥ 65 years of age. Due to the lack of studies identified in the literature, and the ones included being non-randomized, no solid conclusions can be drawn and cautious interpretation of the results is advised. Future studies are necessary to further examine both short- and long-term outcomes. Prospero registration: CRD42024603354.