Pain Evaluation Across Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Procedures

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures, Colon Cancer Patients

In brief

Minimally invasive surgery for colorectal conditions, such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery, has been shown to offer benefits over traditional open surgery. These benefits include less pain after surgery, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications. This study aims to compare two types of minimally invasive surgery-laparoscopic and robotic surgery-to determine which approach results in less postoperative pain for patients undergoing colon or rectal surgery. The central hypothesis is that robotic surgery, due to its higher precision and reduced tissue trauma, will lead to lower pain levels after surgery. The study will enroll adult patients scheduled for elective colorectal surgery at the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid. Participants will undergo either laparoscopic or robotic surgery based on clinical availability and surgical planning, as long as they meet all inclusion criteria under the hospital's enhanced recovery protocol (RICA program). Researchers will assess patients' pain levels at different time points after surgery (immediately after recovery, at 24, 48, and 72 hours, and at discharge) using validated pain scales. The use of pain medications, hospital stay duration, complication rates, and quality of life up to 12 months after surgery will also be measured. All patient data will be collected anonymously using a secure electronic system (REDCap). The study will last approximately 2 years and include about 80 patients (40 in each group). The results could help surgeons and hospitals choose the most effective surgical approach to reduce postoperative pain and improve patient recovery in colorectal surgery.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT07431892
Run by: Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla
People needed: 80
Starts: 2025-09-01
Expected to finish: 2028-09-01
Last updated by the study team: 2026-02-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Adults aged 18 years or older
Signed informed consent
Meeting inclusion requirements of the hospital's Enhanced Recovery Protocol (RICA program), including:
Adequate cognitive status
ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification I, II, or III
Elective colon surgery (right or left hemicolectomy) for malignant disease
Planned laparoscopic or robotic surgical approach
Preoperative evaluation completed as per RICA protocol (nutritional, nursing, anesthetic, and pharmacy assessments)

You may not qualify if…

Patients with a preoperative decision for open surgery
Patients undergoing rectal surgery (partial or total mesorectal excision without protective stoma)
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease requiring colorectal resection
Patients requiring multivisceral resection due to oncologic indications identified intraoperatively
Extraction incision different from Pfannenstiel approach
Current or past history of chronic opioid use or opioid abuse
Current or past history of benzodiazepine use or abuse
Chronic use of analgesics for other comorbid medical conditions
Current or past history of recreational drug use or abuse
Non-compliance with the RICA protocol, including:
Lack of preoperative nutritional, nursing, anesthetic, or pharmacy evaluation
Non-adherence to preoperative care protocols (e.g., premedication, fasting, carbohydrate loading, thromboembolism prophylaxis, antibiotic prophylaxis, anesthetic care guidelines)

Where it is running

University Hospital Gregorio Marañon — Madrid, Spain (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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