Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Surgery for Middle and Low Rectal Cancer: a Target Trial Emulation

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of robotic surgery versus laparoscopic surgery in treating low rectal cancer. While robotic surgery has gained popularity, there is limited long-term evidence regarding its outcomes. By using real-world data from a specialized multicenter colorectal cancer database in Shanghai, China, this retrospective cohort study will emulate the target trial to evaluate whether robotic surgery offers advantages over laparoscopic surgery. Key factors such as disease-free survival, locoregional recurrence, circumferential margin positivity, and postoperative complications will be examined. The goal is to provide stronger, evidence-based support for the clinical use of robotic surgery in treating low rectal cancer.