Cost concerns for robotic thoracic surgery.

Abstract

In an era of increasing scrutiny of expenditure on healthcare, the cost of technological developments such as robotic surgery is an important consideration. Prior studies have shown that robotic thoracic procedures can be performed safely with perioperative results that are comparable to thoracotomy and VATS approaches (1-3). Whether this technology adds benefit at a cost that is reasonable is an unanswered question. Given the high capital and maintenance costs of these systems, it is necessary to analyze their cost to the healthcare system. Assessing the cost and value of robotic surgery is, however, a complex undertaking.