Authors' recommendations: The findings of this review suggest that robotic surgery using the da Vinci® system may have some clinical benefit over other methods in prostatectomy; however, this finding is based largely on observational data. Randomized trials in a limited number of indications show no clinical benefit of using robotic surgery although these trials also have methodological limitations. Economic assessments suggest that surgery using the da Vinci® surgical system is more expensive compared with most other surgical methods, and in several indications. The main reason is high capital and operating costs. Again, these studies have methodological limitations. Estimation of expected per-patient costs for this technology at a given institution must consider the institution’s accounting practices (i.e. with regards to amortization) as well as the expected number of patients that will be treated with this technology in each indication.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/htis/L0052%20daVinci%20Robotic%20Surgical%20System%20final.pdf

Year Published: 2008

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)