Robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy results in significantly fewer readmissions a month after surgery compared with other surgical approaches, according to a recent study published online in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.

The researchers' analysis of 610 robotic cases, 427 laparoscopic procedures, 1,194 open surgeries and 332 vaginal approaches performed between January 2008 and December 2012 revealed women who underwent robotic surgery had the lowest readmission rate (1%) in relation to the other techniques: laparoscopic (2.5%), open (3.5%) and vaginal (2.4%).

According to the report, common reasons for readmission across the groups included fever and infection, wound complications, vaginal bleeding, unmanaged pain and bowel issues.

Additionally, when compared with the other procedures, robotic surgery results in less blood loss (108ml versus more than 300ml), shorter lengths of stays (26 hours versus more than 50 hours) and readmission costs (almost $33,000 versus more than $50,00 for laparoscopic and vaginal surgeries and more than $325,000 for open procedures).

Daniel Cook