Comparing Pain After Robotic and Laparoscopic Colon or Rectal Surgery
Compares pain after robotic versus laparoscopic surgery in adults having colon or rectal operations.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Pain Evaluation Across Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Procedures
Key facts
- Where
- Madrid, SpainSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults having planned colon cancer surgery, done by laparoscopic or robotic surgery, at one hospital in Madrid. It compares pain after the two types of surgery.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Planned colon surgery (right or left hemicolectomy) for cancer, with a laparoscopic or robotic approach. ASA class I, II or III.
- Earlier treatment
- Must not have a history of chronic opioid use, benzodiazepine use, chronic pain medicine use for other conditions, or recreational drug use. Must have completed the hospital's preoperative checks (RICA program).
Main reasons for not taking part
- Open surgery decided before the operation
- Rectal surgery
- Inflammatory bowel disease needing colon or rectum removal
- Past or current opioid or benzodiazepine use
- Past or current recreational drug use
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Where in Spain
- University Hospital Gregorio MarañónMadrid, SpainContact: Patricia Tejedor Tejedor, M.D., Ph.D.Taking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla
- Trial code
- NCT07431892
- Record updated
- 25 February 2026
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Pain Evaluation Across Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Procedures
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.
Inclusion: 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).
Exclusion: Patients with a preoperative decision for open surgery; Patients undergoing rectal surgery (partial or total mesorectal excision without protective stoma); Patients requiring multivisceral resection due to oncologic indications identified intraoperatively; Patients with inflammatory bowel disease requiring colorectal resection; 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-adherence to preoperative care protocols (e.g., premedication, fasting, carbohydrate loading, thromboembolism prophylaxis, antibiotic prophylaxis, anesthetic care guidelines); Extraction incision different from Pfannenstiel approach; Non-compliance with the RICA protocol, including:; Lack of preoperative nutritional, nursing, anesthetic, or pharmacy evaluation.