Laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer in Korea: a nationwide health insurance database analysis from 2019 to 2023
10.7602/jmis.2025.28.1.25
- Author:
Eun Ji PARK
1
;
Hyun Gu LEE
;
Youn Young PARK
;
Sun Jin PARK
;
Kil Yeon LEE
;
Suk-Hwan LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery
2025;28(1):25-35
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study examined nationwide data regarding laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea.
Methods:Nationwide data concerning patients who underwent surgery for CRC from 2019 to 2023 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database.
Results:From 2019 to 2023, a total of 109,573 patients with CRC underwent surgical resection in Korea. Among these, open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery comprised 17.2%, 71.5%, and 11.3%, respectively. Open surgery decreased from 18.3% in 2019 to 15.2% in 2023, whereas robotic surgery increased from 10.3% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2023. Regarding rectal cancer, the rate of robotic surgery increased from 23.0% in 2019 to 28.2% in 2023, and the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) increased from 86.9% in 2019 to 89.2% in 2023.Patients with National Health Insurance had significantly shorter lengths of hospital stay after surgery than those with medical aid for all surgical methods (p < 0.0001). With respect to hospital size, 74,282 CRC surgeries (67.8%) were performed in tertiary general hospitals and 33,050 (30.2%) in general hospitals. By the region, 47,140 cases (43.0%) were performed in Seoul, 19,961 (18.2%) in Gyeonggi, and 7,417 (6.8%) in Daegu. Ostomy was created in 16,222 CRC surgeries (14.8%).
Conclusion:The rate of MIS adoption for CRC in Korea has increased, reaching 84.7% in 2023. The rate of laparoscopic surgery exceeded 70% and has plateaued. In contrast, the rate of robotic surgery adoption has steadily increased, particularly for rectal cancer, where it surpassed 28% in 2023.
