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Background We aimed to evaluate outcomes of robotic versus conventional laparoscopic colorectal resections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Methods Comparative studies of robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal resections in patients with IBD were included. The primary outcome was total post-operative complication rate. Secondary outcomes included operative time, conversion to open surgery, anastomotic leaks, intra-abdominal abscess formation, ileus occurrence, surgical site infection, re-operation, re-admission rate, length of hospital stay, and 30-day mortality. Combined overall effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess risk of bias. Results Eleven non-randomized studies [ n  = 5566 patients] divided between those undergoing robotic [ n  = 365] and conventional laparoscopic [ n  = 5201] surgery were included. Robotic platforms were associated with a significantly lower overall post-operative complication rate compared with laparoscopic surgery [ p  = 0.03]. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with a significantly shorter operative time [ p  = 0.00001]. No difference was found in conversion rates to open surgery [ p  = 0.15], anastomotic leaks [ p  = 0.84], abscess formation [ p  = 0.21], paralytic ileus [ p  = 0.06], surgical site infections [ p  = 0.78], re-operation [ p  = 0.26], re-admission rate [ p  = 0.48], and 30-day mortality [ p  = 1.00] between the groups. Length of hospital stay was shorter following a robotic sub-total colectomy compared with conventional laparoscopy [ p  = 0.03]. Conclusion Outcomes in the surgical management of IBD are comparable between traditional laparoscopic techniques and robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, demonstrating the safety and feasibility of robotic platforms. Larger studies investigating the use of robotic technology in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis separately may be of benefit with a specific focus on important IBD-related metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective cohort study was performed to assess weight gain in infants with Robin sequence (RS) treated by mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO). The primary outcome variable was average daily weight gain for the following time periods: (1) birth to MDO (T1), (2) MDO to distractor removal (T2), (3) distractor removal to 6 months later (T3), and (4) 6 months to 12 months following distractor removal (T4). Published growth curves were used for comparison. Differences were assessed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Twenty-two infants were included in the study. During T1, the infants had 9.47 ± 12.61 g/day less weight gain than expected (P = 0.001). However, for T2, T3, and T4, the infants demonstrated 3.48 ± 6.17 g/day (P = 0.028), 2.19 ± 4.47 g/day (P = 0.030), and 1.83 ± 3.25 g/day (P = 0.028) more weight gain than expected. Feeding tube use resulted in improved weight gain during T1 (P < 0.001), but was associated with poorer weight gain in T3 (P = 0.003) and T4 (P = 0.001). In conclusion, infants with RS treated by MDO demonstrated poorer weight gain relative to their peers between birth and the MDO operation. However, from the MDO procedure to 12 months post-distractor removal, infants who had MDO showed faster weight gain than their age-matched peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]