Cost of ownership assessment for a da Vinci robot based on US real-world data

Despite growth of robotic surgery, published literature lacks assessment of the cost of ownership (CoO) of a da Vinci robot by surgical service line and the associated benefit such data provides.

Based on real-world data (RWD) from 14 US hospitals and ≈6000 da Vinci robotic cases, CoO was assessed using all relevant fixed and variable cost components, calculated by surgical service line.

At a representative hospital with an efficient robotic program (n = 424 cases), the weighted average fixed cost per case was $984. Weighted average variable cost per case was $8025 (range: $3325 for Cholecystectomy-multiport, to $16 986 for Rectal Resection). Assessing weighted average by case, main variable cost drivers were non-da Vinci supplies (49.5%), staff costs (28.6%), and da Vinci supplies (21.9%).

Case mix, annual robotic case volumes, and cut-to-close/patient-in-room time by surgical service line represent core variables influencing robotic program CoO, which help drive profitable program management.