Functional outcomes after robotic or laparoscopic intersphincteric resection – An inverse probability weighting analysis

BackgroundFunctional outcomes after robotic and laparoscopic Intersphincteric resections (ISR) have not been studied adequately. We aimed to compare the bowel functions after robotic or laparoscopic ISR.MethodsSingle-center, cross-sectional study of minimally invasive ISR. Functional outcomes were assessed on the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), Wexner incontinence scale, and the Kirwan grading. Baseline characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, T stage, tumour height, preoperative radiation, and anastomotic configuration) in the groups were balanced using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).ResultsFunctional outcomes were assessed for 132 patients, 85 laparoscopic and 47 robotic ISR were performed. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were well balanced (mean deviation <0.1). In the weighted cohorts of laparoscopic and robotic ISR, major LARS was observed in 18.1% and 18.5% (p – 0.182) and major incontinence on the Wexner scale in 18.4% and 22.8% (p – 0.443), respectively. The Kirwan grades of incontinence were also similar between the groups (p – 0.794).ConclusionNo differences in bowel functions on the LARS and incontinence scales between laparoscopic and robotic ISR were found in the present study.