A pioneering study published in Laparoscopic, Endoscopic and Robotic Surgery has compared three robotic platforms—Da Vinci Xi, Hugo RAS, and Versius—for colon cancer surgery, providing early evidence on their performance. The COMPAR-CRC multiplatform study, conducted at two surgical units in Europe, prospectively enrolled 45 patients undergoing robotic colon resection between February and December 2024. Two experienced colorectal surgeons performed all procedures, with each platform used in 15 cases.
The primary outcomes focused on conversion rates to laparoscopy or open surgery and intra-operative complications. No conversions occurred in the Da Vinci group, while two conversions were recorded with Hugo RAS and three with Versius. One intra-operative instrument malfunction occurred with Hugo RAS, and one surgical complication was reported in each group. These findings suggest that while all platforms are feasible in expert hands, the Da Vinci system may offer a lower conversion rate in this small sample.
Secondary outcomes included post-operative recovery, oncological results, and platform-specific parameters. No significant differences emerged in post-operative recovery or oncological outcomes. However, Versius cases required more frequent use of laparoscopic energy devices (p < 0.001), and Hugo RAS was associated with a longer total operating room time (p = 0.022) and longer incision length (p = 0.005). These differences could impact surgical workflow and resource utilization in hospitals.
The study's lead author noted that robotic colorectal surgery with all three platforms is feasible when performed by expert surgeons. However, larger comparative trials are needed to confirm differences in recovery and oncological efficacy. For hospital administrators and surgical leaders, these early data may inform decisions about platform selection, balancing factors such as conversion risk, operative time, and equipment needs.
The full study is available at DOI 10.1016/j.lers.2025.10.001. The journal Laparoscopic, Endoscopic and Robotic Surgery continues to advance minimally invasive surgery by publishing innovative techniques and clinical research.
