Learning Curve on Lymph Nodes Retrieval and Postoperative Length of Hospital Stay in Robotic Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective, Observational Study

This study shows that robotic surgery for rectal cancer has a significant learning curve with multiple stages. Robotic surgery can remove more lymph nodes than recommended by guidelines even during the learning phase (recommend that at least 12 lymph nodes should be retrieved). As the learning curve progresses to the mastery phase, the length of postoperative hospital stays gradually decreases to a lower level.