Minimally Invasive Surgery Approach is Not Associated With Differences in Long-Term Bowel Function Patient-Reported Outcomes After Elective Sigmoid Colectomy

Postoperative bowel function is a common concern for patients undergoing a sigmoidectomy. We have previously demonstrated that patients with symptomatic bowel function preoperatively have substantial improvement at long-term follow-up. However, the effect of the operative approach on patient-reported bowel function is largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the differences in long-term patient-reported bowel function after robotic or laparoscopic sigmoid colectomies for benign and malignant disease.A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected institutional database from July 2015 to July 2020. Patients included underwent a sigmoid colectomy for benign or malignant disease and completed the Colorectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire at preoperative presentation, postoperatively, and long-term follow-up. Differences between preoperative and postoperative scores, as well as differences between the robotic and laparoscopic cohorts, were compared using paired t-tests.A total of 169 patients met inclusion criteria with a median age of 61 y, and 55% of the patients underwent robotic sigmoid colectomy, with the most common diagnosis being diverticular disease (62%). There was no significant difference between the presentation, short-term, or long-term follow-up total COREFO scores or subdomains based on the surgical technique. Patients that present asymptomatic remain asymptomatic, while those that are symptomatic demonstrate improvements for both the robotic and laparoscopic groups.Patient-reported long-term global bowel function does not appear to differ between patients who underwent elective robotic or laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for benign or malignant disease. Patients that present asymptomatic remain asymptomatic, while those that are symptomatic demonstrate improvements, regardless of surgical technique.