Cost-effectiveness analysis of robotically assisted laparoscopy for newly diagnosed uterine cancers Journal Article


Authors: Leitao, M. M. Jr; Bartashnik, A.; Wagner, I.; Lee, S. J.; Caroline, A.; Hoskins, W. J.; Thaler, H. T.; Abu-Rustum, N. R.; Sonoda, Y.; Brown, C. L.; Jewell, E. L.; Barakat, R. R.; Gardner, G. J.
Article Title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of robotically assisted laparoscopy for newly diagnosed uterine cancers
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the direct costs of three surgical approaches in uterine cancer and the cost-effectiveness of incorporating robot-assisted surgery. METHODS: A cost system that allocates the actual cost of resources used to treat each patient, as opposed to borrowing cost data from a billing system, was used to determine direct costs for patients who underwent surgery for uterine cancer from 2009 to 2010. These costs included all aspects of surgical care up to 6 months after discharge. Total amortized direct costs included the capital cost of three dual-console robotic platforms with 5 years of service contracts. Nonamortized costs were also calculated (excluded capital costs). Modeling was performed to estimate the mean cost of surgical care for patients presenting with endometrial cancer from 2007 to 2010. RESULTS: Of 436 cases (132 laparoscopic, 262 robotic, 42 laparotomy), total mean amortized direct costs per case were $20,489 (laparoscopy), $23,646 (robot), and $24,642 (laparotomy) (P<.05 [robot compared with laparoscopy]; P=.6 [robot compared with laparotomy]). Total nonamortized costs per case were $20,289, $20,467, and $24,433, respectively (P=.9 [robot compared with laparoscopy]; P=.03 [robot compared with laparotomy]). The planned surgical approach in 2007 was laparoscopy, 68%; robot, 8%; and laparotomy, 24% compared with 26%, 64%, and 9%, respectively, in 2010 (P<.001). The modeled mean amortized direct costs per case were $21,738 in 2007 and $22,678 in 2010 (+$940). Nonamortized costs were $21,298 in 2007 and $20,573 in 2010 (-$725). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is least expensive when including capital acquisition costs. Laparoscopy and robotic surgery are comparable if upfront costs are excluded. There is cost neutralization with the robot when it helps decrease laparotomy rates. © 2014 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Journal Title: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume: 123
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0029-7844
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2014-05-01
Start Page: 1031
End Page: 1037
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000000223
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 24785856
PMCID: PMC4405772
DOI/URL:
Notes: Obstet. Gynecol. -- Export Date: 2 June 2014 -- CODEN: OBGNA -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Ginger J Gardner
    270 Gardner
  2. Elizabeth Jewell
    131 Jewell
  3. William Hoskins
    255 Hoskins
  4. Richard R Barakat
    629 Barakat
  5. Carol Brown
    167 Brown
  6. Yukio Sonoda
    472 Sonoda
  7. Mario Leitao
    575 Leitao
  8. Howard T Thaler
    245 Thaler
  9. Stephen Jae Jin Lee
    6 Lee
  10. Isaac   Wagner
    17 Wagner