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KangDuo surgical robot KD-SR-01 versus da Vinci Xi in robot-assisted colorectal cancer resection: oncologic outcomes at three years in a multicenter randomized trial

In brief

KangDuo robot matches da Vinci Xi with identical 85% three-year disease-free survival in colorectal cancer

In a multicenter randomized trial of 100 patients, the KD-SR-01 robot achieved a 3-year disease-free survival of 85.3%, virtually the same as the 85.5% seen with the da Vinci Xi, and overall survival was 100% versus 94% respectively, with no statistically significant differences. These results suggest the newer Chinese system offers oncologic outcomes comparable to the established da Vinci platform, though longer follow-up is needed.

Journal
Journal of robotic surgery (Q1)
Published
1 September 2026
Study design
Randomized controlled trial
Evidence level
Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
Authors
Zhanpeng Cen, Zhen Sun, Tianyi Ma, Donglin Du, Lai Xu, Junyang Lu, et al.
PMID
42678457
DOI
10.1007/s11701-026-03851-2

Why clinicians should know about it

  • Picked for Pathology and Forensic Medicine (top studies of the week, 6 September 2026): Robot vs da Vinci colorectal cancer resection outcomes
  • Picked for Surgery (top studies of the week, 6 September 2026): KD‑SR‑01 vs da Vinci colorectal cancer RCT

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Earlier results from a multicenter randomized trial showed that colorectal cancer resection with KangDuo surgical robot KD-SR-01 (KD) and da Vinci Xi (DV) had similar perioperative and pathological outcomes, whereas long-term oncologic outcomes remained uncertain. METHODS: Three-year follow-up data were analyzed for the full 100-patient cohort of the multicenter randomized trial (KD, n = 50; DV, n = 50). The long-term endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Median follow-up in both groups was 37 months (interquartile range [IQR], 34-40). Kaplan-Meier-estimated 3-year DFS rates were 85.3% for KD (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.5%-92.7%) and 85.5% for DV (95% CI, 71.9%-92.8%, log-rank P = 0.995). Kaplan-Meier-estimated 3-year OS rates were 100.0% for KD (95% CI, 100.0%-100.0%) and 94.0% for DV (95% CI, 82.4%-98.0%, log-rank P = 0.606). After covariate adjustment, the DFS hazard ratio (HR) comparing KD with DV was 0.918 (95% CI, 0.301-2.798; P = 0.881). CONCLUSIONS: At 3 years, no significant between-group differences in DFS or OS were detected between patients assigned to KD-SR-01 and da Vinci Xi for colorectal cancer resection.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.

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For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.