Asian Society for Gynecologic Robotic Surgery

Contents

This article presents a scoping review of economic evaluations for robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), focusing on the methods, challenges, and opportunities in this growing field. The review identifies 50 studies published between 2015 and 2023 that evaluate the cost-effectiveness of RAS compared to laparoscopic or open surgery. Cost-utility analysis was the most common evaluation method, used in 46% of studies, while cost-consequence analysis accounted for 32%. The majority of studies focused on urology, hepato-pancreato-biliary, colorectal, and gynecology. However, many evaluations did not account for distinctive factors relevant to RAS, such as the learning curve, organizational impact, incremental innovation, and dynamic pricing. Only 40% of studies considered these factors, which significantly affect cost-effectiveness outcomes. The authors highlight the need for future evaluations to incorporate these specific characteristics to provide decision-makers with a more comprehensive understanding of the cost-effectiveness of RAS and ensure its optimal use in clinical practice. 

Citation

Lai TJ, Heggie R, Kamaruzaman HF, Bouttell J, Boyd K. Economic Evaluations of Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Methods, Challenges and Opportunities. Appl Health Econ Health Policy. 2024 Sep 27. 

Link

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40258-024-00920-1