Is there a future for robot-assisted surgery?

Recently, there was a fascinating article in the Wall Street Journal regarding robot-assisted surgery. It reported the results of two articles published in JAMA that demonstrated that robotic-assisted surgery cost more and took longer without achieving superior results to laparoscopic surgery on average. With this, my LinkedIn account lit up. Here are several of the comments that came through: “I’ve come to assume that robotic surgery is better for GYN and colon surgeries simply because of their increased precision and accessibility to small spaces.” “Robots are sexy, the media covers it like it’s the next best thing since sliced bread, and advantages may or may not be earth-shattering. Since when has that ever stopped a sale?” “If you’re a surgeon: would you rather stand uncomfortably over a patient for 2-3 hours, trying to manage laparoscopic instruments? Or would you rather sit comfortably at a console and feel like you’re playing a surgery video game? It isn’t about outcomes. Plus, robots are cool to patients.” Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Tech OB/GYN Surgery Source Type: blogs