The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the clinical safety and efficacy of robotic right colectomy (RRC) with conventional laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC).

A literature search was performed for comparative studies reporting perioperative outcomes of RRC and LRC. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed. Depending on statistical heterogeneity, the fixed effects model or the random effects model were used for the meta-analysis. Operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, conversion rates to open surgery, postoperative complications, and related outcomes were evaluated.

Seven studies, including 234 RRC cases and 415 conventional LRC cases, were analyzed. The meta-analysis showed that RRC had longer operative times (P < 0.00001), lower estimated blood losses (P = 0.0002), lower postoperative overall complications (P = 0.02), and significantly faster bowel function recovery (P < 0.00001). There were no differences in the length of hospital stay (P = 0.12), conversion rates to open surgery (P = 0.48), postoperative ileus (P = 0.08), anastomosis leakage (P = 0.28), and bleeding (P = 0.95).

Compared to LRC, RRC was associated with reduced estimated blood losses, reduced postoperative complications, longer operative times, and a significantly faster recovery of bowel function. Other perioperative outcomes were equivalent.