Intuitive Surgical: "Robot-Assisted Surgery Shortens Recovery Time in Non-Cancer Procedures"

Meta-analysis of 13 Surgeries and 13.9 Million Patients
Synthesis of 366 Comparative Studies

Intuitive Surgical Korea announced on the 17th that an international meta-analysis found that, for benign disease surgeries, robot-assisted surgery showed statistically significant improvements in certain pre- and post-operative outcomes compared to laparoscopic and open surgery. These results were published in the international academic journal 'Annals of Surgery Open.'

This study was conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia, Mass General Brigham, and Intuitive. They analyzed 366 comparative studies published across 32 countries between 2010 and 2024. The analysis reviewed patient data from approximately 13.9 million individuals who underwent 13 types of benign disease surgeries, including hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, colorectal surgery, and hernia surgery.

Intuitive Surgical company logo image. Intuitive Surgical Korea

Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robot-assisted surgery was associated with a 54% lower likelihood of conversion to open surgery during the procedure. The average hospital stay was reduced by about four hours, and patients returned to work approximately two days sooner. The probability of requiring a blood transfusion was also 13% lower. Post-operative pain and analgesic use were also reduced. However, there was no significant difference in complications, surgical site infections, readmissions, or mortality within 30 days after surgery, and the average operative time was about 24 minutes longer for robot-assisted surgery.

When compared with open surgery, robot-assisted surgery was associated with a 69% lower probability of blood transfusion, a 46% lower likelihood of complications within 30 days post-surgery, and a 60% reduction in the likelihood of surgical site infections. The mean hospital stay was shortened by about two days, and patients returned to work roughly five days sooner. The probability of using painkillers within 30 days after surgery was also 37% lower. However, the average operative time was about 46 minutes longer than open surgery.

The researchers explained that, while these results provide evidence for comparing outcomes based on surgical method, most of the included studies were retrospective observational studies, meaning the findings do not prove a causal relationship between surgical approach and outcomes. In addition, comparisons with open surgery were limited to 9 out of the 13 procedures, and only studies published up to 2024 were considered, so cases involving the da Vinci 5 system were not included.

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