Robotic Surgery and the Low End of the Learning Curve

Mother Jones writes, Austin Frakt points us today to a new study that compares the effectiveness of robotically assisted hysterectomies vs. laparoscopic surgery. "Both approaches provide benefits compared with open surgery," says an editorial in JAMA, "including smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, less postoperative pain, and possibly quicker return to function." But the robotically-assisted surgery costs more without providing any improvement in outcomes. "On these results alone," says Austin, "the call is a simple one. At current prices and on the basis of health outcomes, robotic hysterectomies are not…

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