Joshua Sleeper

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern Medical Center

Papers

Total Citations

173

H-Index

About

Joshua Sleeper is a leading health economist in urologic surgery, best known for his rigorous cost-comparison analyses of robotic, laparoscopic, and open surgical techniques. His work has fundamentally shaped how hospitals and policymakers evaluate the financial sustainability of adopting robotic platforms. Sleeper’s landmark study, “Cost Comparison of Robotic, Laparoscopic, and Open Partial Nephrectomy” (2011, 115 citations), provided the first comprehensive meta-analysis of direct costs—including operating room time, equipment, and length of stay—demonstrating that robotic partial nephrectomy was not cost-neutral compared to laparoscopy. He extended this framework in “Cost Comparison of Robot-Assisted and Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty” (2012, 34 citations), using decision analysis to model cost drivers for pyeloplasty. His seminal review, “Cost–effectiveness of robotic-assisted laparoscopic procedures in urologic surgery in the USA” (2010, 24 citations), remains a foundational resource for understanding health economics in minimally invasive surgery. By translating complex cost-effectiveness data into actionable insights, Sleeper has empowered surgeons and administrators to make evidence-based decisions about technology adoption, ensuring that patient outcomes are balanced against economic realities.