Jury still out on robot-assisted prostate surgery
The long term benefits of using robotic machines in prostate surgery have yet to be proven, according to a new study conducted at the Sentara Health System/Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. According to Reuters, for the study, researchers evaluated 785 men who underwent four types of treatment for prostate gland cancer. The procedures included both robot-assisted surgery and conventional open surgery, as well as the implanting of cancer cell- killing radioactive “seeds,” and cryotherapy.
While advocates claim using the robotic technology reduces the risks of long-term incontinence and impotence that comes with traditional open surgery, the facts apparently aren’t there. In fact, “there were no significant differences in quality of life between men who had undergone open surgery and those who’d had robot-assisted surgery,” states the article’s author.
Given that just to purchase the machines requires a $1.5 million upfront investment, as well as surgeon training and annual maintenance fees, administrators may want to take pause before signing checks.
