The use of robotics in orthopedic surgery, specifically total knee arthroplasty (TKA), has significantly improved precision and standardization. Although the clinical benefits of robotic over manual TKA are widely recognized, evidence is scarce regarding economic and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) outcomes.
A recent study aimed to compare these economic and HRU outcomes for robotic and manual TKA. Additionally, the study sought to examine the differences in pain and opioid consumption between the two methods. The research involved a multi-database literature search, identifying studies carried out from 2016 to 2022 that compared robotic and manual TKA. The review included 50 studies, and meta-analyses were carried out on 35 of them.
Findings revealed that compared to manual TKA, robotic TKA was linked with a 14% reduction in hospital length of stay, a 74% higher likelihood of being discharged to home, and a 17% lower likelihood of experiencing a 90-day readmission. However, robotic TKA was associated with longer mean operating times, with no observed differences in total procedure cost and 90-day emergency room visits.
As for pain and opioid use, most studies reported similar outcomes for both robotic and manual TKA. The study concluded that alongside the clinical benefits of robotic TKA, the economic impact of utilizing robotics could potentially contribute to the quality improvement and financial sustainability of hospitals.
However, the need for further research and more randomized controlled trials was emphasized, to more effectively quantify the benefits of robotics relative to manual TKA.
Original Article DOI: 10.1007/s11701-023-01703-x
Original title: Systematic review and meta-analysis of economic and healthcare resource utilization outcomes for robotic versus manual total knee arthroplasty

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