This patient information is for patients who have been referred for robotic colorectal surgery. Robotic surgery has been performed at University College London Hospitals for several years in urology but its use for colorectal surgery is new. The leaflet will describe what robotic colorectal surgery is, some of the intended benefits and the risks of robotic surgery.
We hope that this answers some of the questions you might have but please ask if there is any information you need or if you have any further questions.
We will also give you a leaflet which provides information about the specific operation that is planned. Please ask if you have not been given this.
We have recommended that you have an operation to remove part of the large bowel (colon) and / or rectum. This type of operation is usually done through a large cut in the abdomen (open approach) or using keyhole surgery, where surgical tools are inserted through several small cuts in the abdomen.
Robotic surgery is a new way of doing keyhole surgery. Special surgical tools are used that allow improved access to and manipulation of the tissues inside the abdomen. The size of the scars after robotic surgery is the same as with keyhole surgery and much smaller than open surgery.
The advantage of this technique is that the surgeon has a better view, in 3D, of the tissues inside the abdomen and more control over the surgical tools. Standard tools for keyhole surgery have a limited range of movement compared to the human hand. The robotic tools incorporate a wrist-like structure that mimics the human hand and can better perform movements.
Robotic colorectal surgery can result in more gentle manipulation of the organs inside your body.
This can make it easier to operate in parts of the body which are hard to reach, like the pelvis. Robotic colorectal surgery can result in less blood loss during the operation, less damage to surrounding structures in the body (such as nerves) and sometimes a faster recovery.
We can also use robotic surgery to do some operations which cannot normally be done using keyhole surgery. This avoids the need for an open approach.
The surgeon operates in a console next to the patient that controls all the movements of the surgical tools.
All treatments and procedures have risks. The main risks of colorectal surgery are infection, bleeding, a clot in your calf veins and, if the two sections of bowel have been joined, that the join can come apart. The risks of robotic colorectal surgery are similar to keyhole surgery.
Robotic surgery can take longer than standard keyhole surgery as it takes longer to set up the robotic device. The movements are also smaller and slower which means the operation takes longer.
You are free to choose not to have robotic colorectal surgery. If you choose not to have it you do not have to tell us the reasons why. We will offer you surgery using the standard keyhole or open approach instead.
You should prepare for robotic colorectal surgery in the same way as for other types of surgery on your colon or rectum.
We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to go ahead with treatment, by law we must ask for your consent and will ask you to sign a consent form. This confirms that you agree to have the procedure and understand what it involves. Staff will explain all the risks, benefits and alternatives before they ask you to sign a consent form. If you are unsure about any aspect of your proposed treatment, please speak with a senior member of staff again.
Recovery from the robotic colorectal surgery is similar to recovery from keyhole surgery. The recovery can be faster compared to open surgery. The specific time it takes varies according to each procedure, but patients can often have less pain and a smoother recovery which can mean they go home a day earlier than with open surgery.
After your robotic operation you are likely to experience some soreness in your abdomen. We will give you pain medication to help control your pain. You will start by drinking clear fluids and move on to more solid foods. This lets the bowel recover. You should try to get out of bed and walk around the ward after the operation.
There is a page called ‘Information for patients undergoing bowel surgery’ which provides more information about your recovery and returning to day to day activities.
The company which makes the robotic tools used during the surgery has information on its website for patients:
What is da Vinci Robot Surgery? A complete overview
UCLH cannot accept responsibility for information provided by other organisations.
If you have any concerns after you go home, please contact us during office hours. If you have an urgent problem which cannot wait please go to your local Emergency Department.
Pathway Co-ordinator (Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00)
Direct line: 020 3447 7059
Switchboard: 08451 555 000 / 020 3456 7890 ext. 77059
E-mail: uclh.
Address: Colorectal Surgery Unit, 250 Euston Road, London, NW1 2PG
Services
Page last updated: 03 November 2025
Review due: 31 October 2027