A new study published in Laparoscopic, Endoscopic and Robotic Surgery (LERS) provides one of the first direct comparisons of three robotic surgical platforms used in colon cancer surgery. The COMPAR-CRC multiplatform study evaluated outcomes from 45 patients who underwent robot-assisted colon resection using the Da Vinci Xi, Hugo™ RAS, or Versius® system between February and December 2024. The research, conducted by two experienced colorectal surgeons across two surgical units, aimed to assess feasibility and early outcomes of these technologies.
The study enrolled 45 consecutive adult patients, with 15 procedures performed on each platform. The mean patient age was 66.8 years, and 68.9% of surgeries were for colon cancer. The primary outcomes measured were conversion rates to laparoscopy or open surgery and intra-operative complications. Secondary outcomes included post-operative recovery, oncological results, and platform-specific technical parameters.
Results showed no conversions in the Da Vinci group, while two conversions to laparoscopy occurred with Hugo™ RAS and three with Versius®. One intra-operative instrument malfunction was reported with Hugo™ RAS, and each group experienced one surgical complication. Notably, no significant differences emerged in post-operative recovery or oncological outcomes across the three systems. However, technical differences were observed: Versius® cases required more frequent use of laparoscopic energy devices (p < 0.001), and Hugo™ RAS was associated with longer total operating room time (p = 0.022) and longer incision length (p = 0.005).
The findings suggest that robotic colorectal surgery with all three platforms is feasible when performed by expert surgeons. However, the authors caution that early outcomes are encouraging but larger comparative trials are needed to confirm differences in recovery and oncological efficacy. The study, published with DOI 10.1016/j.lers.2025.10.001, highlights the importance of careful platform selection and training as new robotic systems enter the market.
The implications for the surgical community are significant: while the Da Vinci system remains the incumbent with a track record of low conversion rates, newer platforms like Hugo™ RAS and Versius® offer alternatives that may come with trade-offs in operating time and incision length. For patients and healthcare providers, the study underscores that despite technical differences, safety and recovery outcomes appear comparable in the hands of skilled surgeons. As robotic surgery continues to expand, further research will be critical to refine best practices and optimize patient care.
