Robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for middle and low rectal cancer

We congratulate Qingyang Feng and colleagues1 for the REAL trial, which addresses an important question with a large sample size and stringent quality control measures. We cannot deny the comfort that robotic platforms provide in confined spaces, such as the rectum, when reaching the intersphincteric plane or in the dissection of right lateral pelvic wall, especially in patients with a high BMI. The REAL trial attempts to provide objective results to substantiate these subjective assessments.