Randomized trial of robotic versus laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver malignancies

Robotic hepatectomy (RH) is increasingly used for the treatment of liver malignancies despite lacking evidence from randomized trials. The randomized ROC’N’ROLL trial at the University of Heidelberg compared the impact on quality of life of RH with that of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) in patients with resectable liver malignancies. The trial recruted 80 patients, randomized single-blinded to RH (n=41) or LH (n=39). Primary outcome was the mean quality of life within 90 days after surgery, measured with the role functioning scale of EORTC QLQ-C30. There were no significant differences between the groups for this endpoint or for other QLQ-C30 domains. There also were no significant differences for surgical outcomes. The authors conclude that RH can be considered a safe alternative to LH.