Robotic surgery grows, but so do questions
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Rating
Robotic surgery grows, but so do questions
Our Review Summary
It’s a rare story that counters all of the claims made for robotic surgery. This story scores so well because, one by one, it addresses our criteria in a way we expect stories about new technologies to analyze claims.
This was a story that had consumers in mind – and the take-home should be clear to any reader as a result.
Why This Matters
Robotic surgery has increasingly gained acceptance recently despite the fact that the true benefits of the device may be minimal. Given the expense of the device and the per case costs of the disposables, a story that looks hard at the existing evidence is more than welcome.
Criteria
Satisfactory
Good analysis of cost impact of use of robotics – for patients and health care institutions.
Satisfactory
The story raises many questions about claims of benefits from robotic surgery. Examples:
- A urologist saying “The jury is completely out. There is no consensus.”
- Another surgeon saying “There’s never been a study showing clinical superiority. For the patient, there’s clearly no difference.”
Satisfactory
The story didn’t quantify harms – something it could have attempted to do – but we’ll give it a satisfactory score nonetheless because it raised an issue many stories don’t – the loss of sensory feedback upon which surgeons rely.
It also cited one study showing that people who had an adrenal gland removed by robot were more likely to have complications.
Satisfactory
The story allowed the manufacturer to have its say and then countered each claim with a Johns Hopkins surgeon’s evaluation of the evidence.
Satisfactory
No disease mongering here.
Satisfactory
Several independent sources were quoted.
Satisfactory
The story included comparisons between robotic surgery and other laparascopic and traditional surgery throughout.
Satisfactory
The growing use of robotic surgery – despite questions about the evidence – is the focus of the story.
Satisfactory
The story stated “Despite the DaVinci’s popularity, its surgical talents may not surpass those of flesh-and-blood physicians.”
Satisfactory
It’s clear the story didn’t rely on a news release.
Total Score: 10 of 10 Satisfactory
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