Robotic-assisted intracorporeal versus extracorporeal techniques in sigmoidectomy: a propensity score- matched analysis

Background: Scarce research has been performed to assess the safety and efficacy of anastomosis technique on robotic-assisted sigmoidectomy. This study was designed to evaluate the difference between intracorporeal and extracorporeal techniques during robotic-assisted sigmoidectomy. Methods Clinical data of 193 cases who received robotic-assisted sigmoidectomy were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Only 116 cases were available for analysis (intracorporeal group = 58, extracorporeal group = 58) after propensity score matching. Independent sample t -test was conducted to evaluate the continuous variables. Moreover, the statistical significance of categorical variables was tested using Chi-square or Fisher exact tests. Results Statistical analysis showed that the intracorporeal group demonstrated greater superiorities in pain scale on the first and second postoperative day ( P  < 0.05), time of catheter indwelling ( P  = 0.009) and length of hospital stay ( P  = 0.019). Additionally, the intracorporeal technique contributed to fewer complications including urinary retention ( P  = 0.027) and hernia ( P  = 0.037) than the extracorporeal group. Conclusions Our analysis revealed that intracorporeal technique was safe and feasible due to the shorter time of catheter indwelling and length of hospital stay and fewer post-operation complications.