Comparison of robot-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted modified Soave short muscle cuff anastomosis surgeries for classical Hirschsprung disease

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of robot-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted modified Soave with that of short muscular cuff anastomosis surgery for classical Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). METHODS: Sixty children with HSCR who underwent surgical treatment in our department between January 2021 and December 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. The collected data included operative time, anal dissection time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and postoperative defecation control status. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the operative time between the robot and laparoscopic groups (P > 0.05); however, the anal dissection time and intraoperative blood loss in the robot group were significantly lower than those in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the incidence of enterocolitis and length of hospital stay between the two groups. Significantly more patients presented with anastomotic complications in the laparoscopic group than in the robot group (P < 0.05). The defecation and soiling frequencies in the robot group were significantly lower than those in the laparoscopic group at the follow-up examination (P < 0.05). The postoperative defecation function score in the robot group was better than that in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted modified Soave with short muscular cuff anastomosis has a shorter anal dissection time, lower incidence of anastomotic complications, and better defecation function in patients with classical Hirschsprung disease.