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Is Robot-Assisted Surgery Safe for Esophageal Cancer?

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Robot-assisted (da Vinci) versus conventional esophagectomy for resectable esophageal cancer a GRADE-assessed systematic review DOI- 10.1007s11701-025-02943-9

Surgery is a key treatment for esophageal cancer. Traditionally, it is done through open or minimally invasive methods. A new approach uses robotic assistance, often called “robot surgery”, with a system known as da Vinci. This blog explains what the latest research says about this newer method.

A study looked at three high-quality trials comparing robot-assisted esophagectomy with regular surgery for patients whose cancer could be removed. About 550 patients took part. Half had robot-assisted surgery, and the other half had the standard approach.

Both groups had similar results in terms of safety. Serious problems like infections, leakage from the surgical join, or death within 90 days were about the same. The robot-assisted surgery caused slightly less blood loss—around 68 mL less—but this difference is not likely to affect recovery or outcomes.

Importantly, the chances of completely removing the cancer were the same in both types of surgery. Recovery time, time spent in ICU, or nerve problems after surgery were also similar.

So far, robotic surgery appears just as safe and effective as regular surgery for esophageal cancer. It does not add new risks but also doesn’t seem to offer big benefits in short-term outcomes yet.

Robot surgery may help in future with better control during complex parts of the operation, like stitching inside the chest or removing lymph nodes, but this needs more research.

If you or a loved one is considering surgery for esophageal cancer, both options—robot-assisted and standard—are valid. Speak with your doctor to see which is better suited for your specific case.

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Dr. Harsh J Shah

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Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in India
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