Robotic elective colectomy for diverticular disease: short-term outcomes of 80 patients

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the robotic approach on the minimally invasive elective treatment of diverticular disease. Methods: Data from patients who underwent elective robotic colectomy for diverticular disease from January 2015 to February 2020 were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. Intraoperative and 30‐day postoperative outcomes were the variables assessed. Results: A total of 80 patients (71% with prior complicated diverticulitis) met the inclusion criteria. Mean operative time was 241 min, one intraoperative complica- tion (1.2%) was observed, the conversion rate was 2.5%. Mean hospital stay was 6.4 days and overall 30‐day complication rate was 22.5%. Fourteen patients (17.5%) had minor complications, while major postoperative complications occurred in four patients (5%). Anastomotic leak rate was 3.9% and the 30‐day readmission rate was 3.7%. Conclusions: Robotic colectomy for diverticular disease has proven to be feasible and safe, with low intraoperative complications, conversion, and anastomotic leak rates.