Comparison of <scp>short‐term</scp> outcomes between <scp>robot‐assisted</scp> and laparoscopic rectal surgery for rectal cancer: A propensity <scp>score‐matched</scp> analysis using the Japanese Nationwide diagnosis procedure combination database

Background The use of robot-assisted surgery for rectal cancer is increasing, but its short-term results remain unclear. We compared the outcomes and laparoscopic using a nationwide inpatient database. Methods analyzed patients registered in Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database who underwent or from April 2018 to March 2020. Postoperative complication rates, anesthesia time, length hospital stay, cost were propensity score matching low anterior resection (LAR), high (HAR), abdominoperineal (APR). Results Among 38 090 cases, 1992 LAR, 357 HAR, 310 APR pairs generated by analyzed. Anesthesia time was longer with (LAR: 388.6 vs. 452.8 min, p < 0.001; HAR: 300.9 393.5 APR: 4478.5 533.5 0.001). Robot-assisted associated significantly shorter stay LAR (22.3 20.0 days, 0.001) (29.2 25.9 = 0.029). Total costs lower (2031511.6 1955216.6 JPY, rates tended be fewer than all procedures, differences not significant. Conclusions Although surgery, procedure resulted APR, surgery. can thus help reduce performed safely.