Value added care: improving quality with decreased costs in robotic assisted colorectal surgery

Abstract

Diseases of the colon and rectum, such as diverticulitis or cancer, are increasing and occurring in younger populations. Although robotic assisted surgery can be more expensive for the index operation, robotic assisted colorectal surgery decreases length of stay, need for narcotics, and the amount of time needed off work for recovery. Robotic surgery also introduces new opportunities for simulation training which allows developing surgeons to improve their technique without risk to a live patient. These benefits contribute to decreased healthcare costs for the system as a whole as well as mitigate downstream effects on the economy due to loss of productivity and tax revenue. Robotic assisted surgery also facilitates video-based mentorship. Video mentorship can be used to improve surgical care and health equity nationally and internationally. Robotic surgery may also provide future opportunities for integration of CT scans into the operative field or artificial intelligence to improve surgeon performance and accuracy.