Both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries for IBD are safe and effective, with robotic surgeries associated with fewer complications, according to a study published in the Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis. The study by Shafquat Zaman, MD, and colleagues compared robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal resections in IBD. The primary outcome was the postoperative complication rate; secondary outcomes included operating time, conversion to open surgery, anastomotic leaks, abscess formation, ileus occurrence, surgical site infection, reoperation, readmission rate, length of stay, and 30-day mortality. A total of eleven non-randomized studies with 5,566 patients were analyzed. Robotic surgeries had a significantly lower overall postop complication rate versus laparoscopic surgeries ( P=0.03), and laparoscopic surgeries had a shorter operating time ( P=0.00001). There were no significant differences in conversion rates to open surgery, anastomotic leaks, abscess formation, ileus, surgical site infections, reoperation, readmission, or 30-day mortality. Patients who underwent robotic surgeries experienced shorter hospital stays ( P=0.03).