What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the advancements and challenges in robotic colorectal surgery, highlighting Hong Kong's contributions.

April 18, 2026Cancers1 citationsOpen Access

Global Evolution of Robotic Colorectal Surgery: Lessons from Hong Kong’s Innovation and Implementation

TYTrevor M. Yeung JLJustin N. F. LamChinese University of Hong Kong RLRossetti H. Y. LamChinese University of Hong Kong

Key Points

To explore the advancements and challenges in robotic colorectal surgery, highlighting Hong Kong's contributions.
Reviewing the evolution of robotic systems from multi-port to single-port and endoluminal devices.
Examining the role of structured training and workflow improvements in Hong Kong's innovation.
Analyzing clinical outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Robotic surgery shows reduced open conversions and fewer complications compared to laparoscopic methods.
Patients experience shorter hospital stays and improved long-term functional and oncologic outcomes.
Challenges include high initial costs and limited access to training.

Abstract

Robotic colorectal surgery has revolutionized minimally invasive techniques worldwide, offering a more stable operative platform, superior 3D visualization, and wristed instrumentation for challenging pelvic dissections. This narrative review describes the global evolution of robotic colorectal surgery, from the use of multi-port to single-port systems, modular platforms and endoluminal robotic devices. Using Hong Kong’s role as an innovation and research hub, this review demonstrates how integrated innovation, structured training, workflow efficiencies and digital policy frameworks can overcome barriers and inform international implementation of robotic colorectal surgery. Since 2005, The Chinese University of Hong Kong has been pioneering the use of robotic platforms in colorectal surgery, performing first-in-human trials of the da Vinci SP system, the locally developed Sentire C1000 and the EndoMaster EASE for robotic ESD. There is increasing evidence supporting the use of the robotic platform over laparoscopic colorectal surgery, with benefits including reduced open conversions, fewer intraoperative complications, shorter hospital stay, better long-term functional outcomes and improved oncologic outcomes. However, several challenges remain before robotics can be implemented widely on a global scale, such as higher initial capital costs, limited training access, surgeon credentialing and governance for AI-driven data analytics.

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