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The use of robot-assisted surgery has increased in recent years despite high investment costs and weak evidence regarding benefits. It is
unclear whether the technical advantages of robotic surgery lead to greater patient benefits that can justify higher costs.
Cost comparisons dominate the scientific literature. Despite differences in the studies’ implementation, calculation methods, and context, the
results are relatively consistent. Most studies conclude that robot-assisted surgery is more expensive than other options.
The results are sensitive to the price of the robot system, operational costs, and average operating time - factors that could change.
The health economic evidence is strongest for radical prostatectomy. It shows that robot-assisted surgery is likely to be cost effective under
certain conditions - in particular it requires a high volume of surgery, which allows fixed costs to be distributed across many operations.