Robotic Recto-Sigmoid Resection with Total Intracorporeal Colorectal Anastomosis (TICA) in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

About 70% of women affected by ovarian cancer experience relapse within 2 years of diagnosis. Traditionally, the standard treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) has been represented by systemic chemotherapy.¹ Recently, several retrospective studies have suggested that secondary cytoreductive surgery could provide better clinical outcomes than chemotherapy alone, in the case of complete tumor cytoreduction.^2,3 About 50% of patients with ROC have a pelvic component of the disease and 22% of patients present isolated pelvic recurrence, often involving the rectum.^4,5 Minimally invasive secondary cytoreductive surgery is a feasible option and is associated with favorable perioperative outcomes.^6–8 It is crucial to fully explore the peritoneal cavity before starting cytoreductive procedures in order to confirm the absence of carcinomatosis.⁹ The robotic system facilitates the identification of anatomical structures and makes it easier to perform complex surgical steps in narrow spaces. It also allows the integrated use of surgical tools such as intraoperative ultrasound and indocyanine green application.

In this video, we present the case of a 64-year-old woman who experienced a rectal recurrence of ovarian cancer after a platinum-free interval of 12 months. We describe, in a step-by-step manner, the surgical procedure of a robotic rectosigmoid resection with totally intracorporeal colorectal anastomosis (TICA).^10–12

Robotic secondary cytoreduction with complete gross resection was achieved. The patient did not report any intraoperative or postoperative complications. Final histology confirmed ROC.

Totally robotic rectosigmoid resection is a feasible option in isolated bowel recurrences. Thanks to continuous technical evolution, robot-assisted surgery has the potential to have a central role in the fight against solid tumors. Integration of multiple pre- and intraoperative technologies allows personalized surgery to be performed for each different patient.^13,14