Efficacy of a robotic stapler on symptomatic anastomotic leakage in robotic low anterior resection for rectal cancer

Purpose Clinical evidence demonstrating risk factors for anastomotic leakage including robotic staplers has remained limited, even though the use of robotic surgery has increased substantially. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of robotic staplers on symptomatic anastomotic leakage in robotic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods A total of 427 consecutive patients with primary rectal cancer who underwent robotic low anterior resection without diverting stoma were investigated retrospectively. Symptomatic anastomotic leakage was defined as anastomotic leakage of Clavien–Dindo Grade ≥ II. We compared the symptomatic anastomotic leakage rates between manual and robotic staplers using propensity score matching and investigated the risk factors for symptomatic anastomotic leakage. Results After propensity score matching, 168 pairs of manual and robotic stapler cases were selected. The symptomatic anastomotic leakage rate was significantly higher for manual staplers (6.5%) than for robotic staplers (1.2%, p = 0.02). In a multivariate analysis, the use of a manual stapler ( p = 0.04, OR 4.86, 95% CI 1.08–21.8) and anastomosis < 4 cm from the anal verge ( p < 0.01, OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.48–12.9) were identified as independent risk factors for symptomatic anastomotic leakage. Conclusions Robotic stapler use was associated with a significantly decreased rate of anastomotic leakage in robotic low anterior resection without diverting stoma for rectal cancer.