Do the costs of robotic surgery present an insurmountable obstacle? A narrative review

Abstract

With increasing market size and rising demand, the question arises whether the high cost impedes accessibility to robotic surgery. Despite all the apparent advantages robotic surgery offers to surgeons and patients, it is imperative for healthcare providers to weigh the insufficiently documented evidence for robotics against the exorbitant price. Aside from the high acquisition cost of robotic systems, the cost of instruments and accessories, maintenance, as well as the need for training, and the impact on procedural dynamics in the operating room factor into any cost–utility analysis. However, current perspectives provide an insufficient overview of available systems and their cost. And the lack of transparency and incomplete information provided by manufacturers impose a significant challenge to informed decision-making. This article gives a short overview of the cost of robotic surgery, what additional costs to consider, where to obtain information, and attempts to elaborate on the question of whether cost impedes the worldwide establishment of robotic surgery.