| November 2012 · Vol. 24, No. 11 EXAMINING THE EVIDENCE
Are hospital claims about
the robotic approach to
gynecologic surgery based on
reliable data—or mostly hype?Many claims reflect marketing rather than data, according to this analysis of content from hospital Web sites. Not only was little content based on high-quality data, but alternative approaches were frequently overlooked.Schiavone MB, Kuo EC, Naumann RW, et al. The commercialization of robotic surgery: unsubstantiated marketing of gynecologic surgery by hospitals. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012;207(3):174.e1–e7. EXPERT COMMENTARY
Andrew M. Kaunitz, MDProfessor and Associate Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville. Dr. Kaunitz serves on the OBG Management Board of Editors.
Although robotic gynecologic surgery has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, evidence of its effectiveness is limited. Of the studies that have been conducted, many found no benefit or only slight benefit for the robot, compared with laparoscopic surgery. Nevertheless, the use of the robot in gynecologic surgery has spread rapidly, accounting for more than 200,000 operations in 2009. CLICK HERE to read more |
