Robotic Surgery for Rectal Cancer and Cost-Effectiveness
10.7602/jmis.2019.22.4.139
- Author:
Youngbae JEON
1
;
Eun Jung PARK
;
Seung Hyuk BAIK
Author Information
1. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. whitenoja@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Rectal neoplasm;
Robotic surgical procedures;
Cost-benefit analysis
- MeSH:
Cost-Benefit Analysis;
Human Engineering;
Industrial Development;
Laparoscopy;
Methods;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures;
Pelvis;
Prospective Studies;
Rectal Neoplasms;
Robotic Surgical Procedures
- From:Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery
2019;22(4):139-149
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Robotic surgery is considered as one of the advanced treatment modality of minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer. Robotic rectal surgery has been performed for three decades and its application is gradually expanding along with technology development. It has several technical advantages which include magnified three-dimensional vision, better ergonomics, multiple articulated robotic instruments, and the opportunity to perform remote surgery. The technical benefits of robotic system can help to manipulate more meticulously during technical challenging procedures including total mesorectal excision in narrow pelvis, lateral pelvic node dissection, and intersphincteric resection. It is also reported that robotic rectal surgery have been shown more favorable postoperative functional outcomes. Despite its technical benefits, a majority of studies have been reported that there is rarely clinical or oncologic superiority of robotic surgery for rectal cancer compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery. In addition, robotic rectal surgery showed significantly higher costs than the standard method. Hence, the cost-effectiveness of robotic rectal surgery is still questionable. In order for robotic rectal surgery to further develop in the field of minimally invasive surgery, there should be an obvious cost-effective advantages over laparoscopic surgery, and it is crucial that large-scale prospective randomized trials are required. Positive competition of industries in correlation with technological development may gradually reduce the price of the robotic system, and it will be helpful to increase the cost-effectiveness of robotic rectal surgery.
