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International Journal of Colorectal Disease
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 9/2016

01-09-2016 | Original Article

Robot-assisted versus laparoscopic rectal resection for cancer in a single surgeon’s experience: a cost analysis covering the initial 50 robotic cases with the da Vinci Si

Authors: Luca Morelli, Simone Guadagni, Valentina Lorenzoni, Gregorio Di Franco, Luigi Cobuccio, Matteo Palmeri, Giovanni Caprili, Cristiano D’Isidoro, Andrea Moglia, Vincenzo Ferrari, Giulio Di Candio, Franco Mosca, Giuseppe Turchetti

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 9/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to compare surgical parameters and the costs of robotic surgery with those of laparoscopic approach in rectal cancer based on a single surgeon’s early robotic experience.

Methods

Data from 25 laparoscopic (LapTME) and the first 50 robotic (RobTME) rectal resections performed at our institution by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon (>100 procedures) between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Patient demographic, procedure, and outcome data were gathered. Costs of the two procedures were collected, differentiated into fixed and variable costs, and analyzed against the robotic learning curve according to the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method.

Results

Based on CUSUM analysis, RobTME group was divided into three phases (Rob1: 1–19; Rob2: 20–40; Rob3: 41–50). Overall median operative time (OT) was significantly lower in LapTME than in RobTME (270 vs 312.5 min, p = 0.006). A statistically significant change in OT by phase of robotic experience was detected in the RobTME group (p = 0.010). Overall mean costs associated with LapTME procedures were significantly lower than with RobTME (p < 0.001). Statistically significant reductions in variable and overall costs were found between robotic phases (p < 0.009 for both). With fixed costs excluded, the difference between laparoscopic and Rob3 was no longer statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a significant optimization of robotic rectal surgery’s costs with experience. Efforts to reduce the dominant fixed cost are recommended to maintain the sustainability of the system and benefit from the technical advantages offered by the robot.
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Metadata
Title
Robot-assisted versus laparoscopic rectal resection for cancer in a single surgeon’s experience: a cost analysis covering the initial 50 robotic cases with the da Vinci Si
Authors
Luca Morelli
Simone Guadagni
Valentina Lorenzoni
Gregorio Di Franco
Luigi Cobuccio
Matteo Palmeri
Giovanni Caprili
Cristiano D’Isidoro
Andrea Moglia
Vincenzo Ferrari
Giulio Di Candio
Franco Mosca
Giuseppe Turchetti
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 9/2016
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2631-5

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