Endometrial cancer surgery costs: robot vs laparoscopy

To compare surgical costs for endometrial cancer staging between robotic-assisted and traditional laparoscopic methods.

Retrospective chart review from November 2005 to July 2006 (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

Non-university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Thirty-three women with diagnosed endometrial cancer undergoing hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and paraaortic lymph node resection.

Patients underwent either robotic or traditional laparoscopic surgery without randomization.

Hospital cost data were obtained for operating room time, instrument use, and disposable items from hospital billing records and provided by the finance department. Separate overall hospital stay costs were also obtained. Mean operative costs were higher for robotic procedures ($3323 vs $2029; p<.001), due in part to longer operating room time ($1549 vs $1335; p=.03). The more significant cost difference was due to disposable instrumentation ($1755 vs $672; p<.001). Total hospital costs were also higher for robotic-assisted procedures ($5084 vs $ 3615; p=.002).

Robotic surgery costs were significantly higher than traditional laparoscopy costs for staging of endometrial cancer in this small cohort of patients.