Cost vs. Benefit: Is Robotic Hernia Surgery Worth It?
Robotic systems for treating hernias are trending in this new era. Not only hernias, robotic systems have been introduced in treating various other health conditions like prostate cancers, problems related to the kidney, like gallstones, liver conditions, and lung diseases. In women, robotic surgery can help to treat cervical issues and reproductive health conditions like fibroids and endometriosis
It has already become the best choice of surgical techniques to carry out many complex procedures, for instance, complex abdominal hernias. In no time, it will become the most preferred surgical technique; however, the real question is whether a common person can afford robotic procedures. In this blog, let’s discuss some facts about the cost associated with robotic hernia repair.
Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the top laparoscopic surgeons in Hyderabad, notes that many patients seeking hernia surgery are enquiring about robotic surgery. However, many are worried about the expenditure and its unaffordability. Before determining whether robotic hernia surgery is expensive, let us first understand why people believe it is more expensive compared to a regular laparoscopic procedure.
Robotic Surgery Vs Laparoscopic Surgery
Both these surgeries are minimally invasive procedures where the surgeon makes a few small incisions and performs the surgical procedure. The cost of the surgery may be slightly higher when the operation is performed by a surgeon using a robotic system.
The equipment used in the robotic system includes high-end monitor consoles, 3D-HD cameras, and wrist instruments, among others which are quite expensive. So the hospital needs to invest more in equipment compared to regular equipment.
The other important and best reason is the limited usage of certain instruments attached to the robotic system. It has an inbuilt system that will not accept instruments after a certain number of surgeries. Even though the instruments are in good condition, it simply won’t accept and shuts down. As the tools are expensive, they also influence the overall cost of the surgery.
So, why limited usage of tools? It is built that way to ensure safe operation and to enhance the outputs. Beyond the recommended usage, there is no chance that the instrument or tool will be used again by the robotic system; it has to be discarded. This strongly ensures that even if the surgeons compromise, the system never compromises the safety.
Whereas in a laparoscopic or an open hernia repair, the instruments or tools might be used beyond their recommended lifetime, where the safety might be compromised.
Some people think robotic surgery is way too expensive. It’s not a fact because the extra cost incurred for the robotic surgery is around Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 compared to laparoscopy, which may make some people feel it is expensive, but it is completely worth it.
Robotic hernia surgery cost: Is it really worth it?
Many people think, Is it really worth spending extra money when a laparoscopic procedure can provide nearly identical results?’ Yes, it is worth every penny, especially in the case of a complex hernia procedure. A surgeon with a robotic system is much more powerful than a surgeon with laparoscopy because they can handle more and more complex cases much better than laparoscopy.
In complex hernia cases, the surgeon might choose to perform an open surgery because laparoscopy might not be the ideal choice in such cases. So, a patient who is getting an open hernia repair that requires a long incision can be managed by a robotic hernia surgery, which is minimally invasive. A less invasive approach is 5 times more beneficial, from reduced post-operative pain to a quicker recovery, which makes that extra money worth it.
If you are having a hernia problem and thinking only surgery can help, explore all surgical procedures and understand the benefits, and for sure, robotic hernia surgery is above all other procedures, and the extra cost is reasonable. Moreover, some insurance companies are covering the cost of the surgery, which includes the cost of the robotic instruments. Many patients are getting their insurance coverage for various robotic surgical procedures in these days.
The extra cost incurred for robotic hernia surgery can be justified with overall advantages. For more detailed information, consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, the best laparoscopic surgeon in Hyderabad and one of the few surgeons with hands-on experience in robotic hernia repairs. Call +91 91777 77715 for an appointment.
