To evaluate the outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical colorectal resection and to define the learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical colorectal resections.

Clinical data of 75 cases underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer were reviewed form December 2014 to August 2015.The patients were divided into 3 groups (groups A, B and C) by operative sequence.The robotic set-up time, operating time, bleeding volume, postoperative aerofluxus time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, number of removed lymphatic nodes were compared among the 3 groups.

The robotic set-up time in group A was significantly longer than that in group B and C [ (38 ± 5) min vs. (22 ± 4) min, P<0.05; (38±5) min vs. (21±2) min, P<0. 05 ], and there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P>0.05). The operating time in group A was (201±39) min, significantly longer than that in group B (160±42) min and group C (156±43) min (P<0.05), but the operating time did not vary significantly between group B and C (P>0.05). The bleeding volume was significantly greater in group A than in group B and C (142±35, 105±28, and 102±28ml, respectively, P<0.05), but showed no significant difference between the latter two groups (P>0.05). No significant difference was found in post operative aerofluxus time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, number of removed lymphatic nodes among the 3 groups (P>0. 05). The 25 patients in group A received the operation within a time period of 4 months (6.3 cases per month), and groups B and C were done in 2 months (12.5 cases per month).

The surgeons with abundant experiences of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery can learn the surgical skills after performing 25 robot-assisted laparoscopic radical resections for colorectal neoplasms, the operation frequency was an average of 6.3 cases per month.