Comparison of short-term outcomes of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the outcomes of robot-assisted (RAGD2) and laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy (LAGD2) for patients with gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Relevant articles published up to September 2020 were searched. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used to pool continuous variables, while risk ratio (RR) was calculated for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: RAGD2 required a longer operating time (WMD = 29.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 15.97–43.59) and had less operative blood loss (WMD = −31.93, 95% CI: −44.03 to −19.83), shorter time to first flatus (WMD = −0.13, 95% CI: −0.22 to −0.04), shorter time to liquid diet (WMD = −0.20, 95% CI: −0.28 to 0.12), and fewer severe complications (RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.43–0.90) and overall complications (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.91) than LAGD2. CONCLUSIONS: RAGD2 could be beneficial in reducing operative blood loss and postoperative complications relative to LAGD2.