National Trends in the Performance of Robot-Assisted Sacral Colpopexy

Robot-assisted sacral colpopexy (RASC) utilization trends and influencing factors were examined. RASCs were compared with nonrobotic vaginal suspension procedures (non-RASC) used to treat patients with vaginal prolapse. Hospital costs associated with each approach were also examined. The presence of certain factors may predict increased use of RASC.

The National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample database was queried from 2009 to 2011 to identify patients undergoing RASC and non-RASC. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate variables associated with RASC utilization, adjusting for age, comorbidities, concurrent procedures, hospital region, primary payer, and year. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate variables associated with hospital costs when adjusting for operative approach, concurrent procedures, comorbidities, presence of complications, hospital region, and year.

Of the 125,869 patients who underwent vaginal vault suspension of any type, 14,601 (12%) were RASC. Total in-hospital complication rates were similar between RASC and non-RASC (8% RASC, 7% non-RASC, P=0.360). The proportion of patients undergoing RASC increased throughout the study period (odds ratio [OR] 1.58, P<0.001), with this increase being most pronounced in the South (OR 2.22, P<0.001). Fifty-four percent of RASC patients vs 48% of non-RASC patients underwent concurrent hysterectomy (P=0.007). Patients with private insurance (OR 1.73, P=0.001) or Medicare (OR 1.43, P=0.033) as their primary payer were at significantly increased odds of RASC compared with Medicaid patients, and private insurance was associated with increased reimbursement. On multiple linear regression, RASC was independently associated with a $4825 increase in hospital costs (95% confidence interval $4161-$5490, P<0.001). There were independent regional differences in cost associated with vaginal suspension, with the West being the most expensive (P<0.001).

While RASC utilization increased over the study period as a treatment option for vaginal prolapse, the majority of vaginal suspension procedures were still performed via non-RASC methods. RASC was associated with equivalent complications yet significantly higher costs.