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Hinojosa-Ramirez F, Tallon-Aguilar L, Tinoco-Gonzalez J, Sanchez-Arteaga A, Aguilar-Del Castillo F, Alarcon-Del Agua I, Morales-Conde S. Economic analysis of the robotic approach to inguinal hernia versus laparoscopic: is it sustainable for the healthcare system? Hernia 2024:10.1007/s10029-024-03006-y. [PMID: 38503978 DOI: 10.1007/s10029-024-03006-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There has been a rapid proliferation of the robotic approach to inguinal hernia, mainly in the United States, as it has shown similar outcomes to the laparoscopic approach but with a significant increase in associated costs. Our objective is to conduct a cost analysis in our setting (Spanish National Health System). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective single-center comparative study on inguinal hernia repair using a robotic approach versus laparoscopic approach. RESULTS A total of 98 patients who underwent either robotic or laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repair between October 2021 and July 2023 were analyzed. Out of these 98 patients, 20 (20.4%) were treated with the robotic approach, while 78 (79.6%) underwent the laparoscopic approach. When comparing both approaches, no significant differences were found in terms of complications, recurrences, or readmissions. However, the robotic group exhibited a longer surgical time (86 ± 33.07 min vs. 40 ± 14.46 min, p < 0.001), an extended hospital stays (1.6 ± 0.503 days vs. 1.13 ± 0.727 days, p < 0.007), as well as higher procedural costs (2318.63 ± 205.15 € vs. 356.81 ± 110.14 €, p < 0.001) and total hospitalization costs (3272.48 ± 408.49 € vs. 1048.61 ± 460.06 €, p < 0.001). These results were consistent when performing subgroup analysis for unilateral and bilateral hernias. CONCLUSIONS The benefits observed in terms of recurrence rates and post-surgical complications do not justify the additional costs incurred by the robotic approach to inguinal hernia within the national public healthcare system. Nevertheless, it represents a simpler way to initiate the robotic learning curve, justifying its use in a training context.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Hinojosa-Ramirez
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Av Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - L Tallon-Aguilar
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Av Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain.
- Surgery Department, University of Seville, Avda. Doctor Fedriani, s/n, 41009, Seville, Spain.
| | - J Tinoco-Gonzalez
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Av Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Surgery Department, University of Seville, Avda. Doctor Fedriani, s/n, 41009, Seville, Spain
| | - A Sanchez-Arteaga
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Av Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - F Aguilar-Del Castillo
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Av Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - I Alarcon-Del Agua
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Av Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - S Morales-Conde
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Av Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Surgery Department, University of Seville, Avda. Doctor Fedriani, s/n, 41009, Seville, Spain
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