Safety and Short-term Outcomes of Modular Robotic System for Siewert II/III Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

In the researchers' words

Siewert type II/III gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma is a challenging malignancy located at the anatomical transition between the esophagus and stomach. Due to its complex anatomical location and mixed biological characteristics of esophageal and gastric cancers, the optimal surgical strategy remains controversial. Current surgical approaches vary in terms of operative access, extent of resection, and lymph node dissection. Although minimally invasive laparoscopic and integrated robotic surgery have demonstrated potential advantages in improving perioperative outcomes, limitations remain when managing complex procedures involving both abdominal and mediastinal fields. Split-type robotic surgical systems, characterized by independently movable robotic carts, provide greater flexibility in robotic arm positioning and may overcome some limitations associated with conventional integrated robotic platforms, particularly in extensive multi-quadrant procedures requiring simultaneous abdominal and mediastinal lymph node dissection. However, clinical evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of split-type robotic surgery for Siewert type II/III GEJ cancer remains limited. This prospective single-arm clinical study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term surgical outcomes of split-type robotic radical surgery for patients with Siewert type II/III…