Laparoscopic Surgery or Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery in Treating Patients With Rectal Cancer That Can Be Removed By Surgery

OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate robotic-assisted rectal cancer surgery versus standard laparoscopic rectal
cancer resection by means of a randomized, controlled trial.

II. To assess technical ease of the operation, as determined by the clinical indicator of
low conversion rate to open operation.

III. To assess surgical accuracy and improved oncological outcome as determined by clear
pathological resection margins.

IV. To assess quality of life and analyze cost-effectiveness to aid evidence-based knowledge
to inform NHS and other service providers and decision-makers.

V. To analyze disease-free and overall survival and local recurrence rates at 3-year
follow-up.

OUTLINE:

Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

ARM I: Patients undergo standard laparoscopic resection.

ARM II: Patients undergo robotic-assisted laparoscopic resection.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 1 month, 6 months, and then
annually thereafter for 3 years.