A cost-effectiveness analysis of robotic versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy

Int J Med Robot. 2020 Apr;16(2):e2080. doi: 10.1002/rcs.2080. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Abstract

Aim: There is no study in the literature that evaluates the cost-effectiveness of robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) over laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP). We performed a comparative study of RDP and LDP with the aim of evaluating clinical and cost-effective outcomes.

Material and methods: This is an observational, comparative prospective nonrandomized study. The primary end point was to compare the cost-effectiveness differences between both groups. A willingness to pay of €20 000 and €30 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was used as a threshold to recognize which treatment was most cost-effective.

Results: A total of 31 RDP and 28 LDP have been included. The overall mean total cost was similar in both groups (RDP: €9712.15 versus LDP: €9424.68; P > .5). Mean QALYs for RDP (0.652) was higher than that associated with LDP (0.59) (P > .5).

Conclusion: This study seems to provide data of cost-effectiveness between RDP and LDP approaches, showing some benefits for RDP.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / economics*
  • Laparoscopy / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Operative Time
  • Pancreas / surgery*
  • Pancreatectomy / economics*
  • Pancreatectomy / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures / economics*
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Surveys and Questionnaires