Title
Comparison of Intracorporeal Anastomotic Techniques in Robot-Assisted Colectomy

Authors

Tsuyoshi Saito, Takeshi Yanagita, Koshiro Harata, Takeyasu Katada, Shuji Koide, Nobuaki Kagohashi, Kaita Suzuki, Futoshi Teranishi
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Toyokawa City Hospital, Japan

Background
Intracorporeal anastomosis (ICA) reduces bowel mobilization and incision size in colectomy. Robotic assistance has facilitated the adoption of ICA; however, the optimal technique remains unclear. We compared short-term outcomes of Delta vs Overlap anastomosis in robotic colectomy.

Methods
From April 2024 to July 2025, 40 patients with resectable colon cancer underwent robot-assisted colectomy with ICA. Patients were divided into Delta (n=15) and Overlap (n=25) groups. Outcomes included operative time, anastomotic time, complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥II), and hospital stay. Continuous variables were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and categorical variables using Fisher’s exact test, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results
Baseline characteristics were comparable between the Delta and Overlap groups. Operative time was 347 vs 340 minutes (p=0.50). Anastomotic time was significantly shorter in the Delta group (13 vs 19 minutes, p=0.010). Complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥II) occurred in 1 vs 3 cases (p=1.00). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Delta group (7 vs 8 days, p=0.043).

Conclusion
Delta anastomosis significantly shortens anastomotic time and hospital stay compared with Overlap without increasing complications in robotic colectomy.