Economic Assessment of STarting Endoscopic Robotic Groin Hernia Repair (EASTER)

Algemeen Ziekenhuis Maria Middelares

Status: Completed

Conditions: Inguinal Hernia

Treatments: Procedure: Robot-assisted hernia repair

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04431271

EASTER study

Details and patient eligibility

About

The material cost for robotic groin hernia repair is higher than for conventional laparoscopic surgery. In this study, this amount will be quantified and possible differences in early postoperative course, hospital stay and readmission rate that could influence the cost/benefit ratio for robotic groin hernia surgery will be analyzed.

Full description

Robot-assisted groin hernia repair has been introduced in AZ Maria Middelares hospital since September 2016. In these procedures, the daVinci robot is being used to perform minimal invasive repair of these hernias. At the moment, this technique is frequently being used for groin hernia repair. Literature shows a clear benefit of robot-assisted versus open repair. Hospital stay decreases and complications are less frequently observed in patients who underwent minimal invasive repair (Henriksen NA et al., 2018).

On the other hand, the benefits of robot-assisted repair are less obvious compared to conventional laparoscopy. Many robot-trained surgeons are in favor of robot-assisted repair, but current literature is still inconclusive about the economic feasibility of robot-assisted groin hernia repair as standard of care.

This retrospective observational study is primarily designed to analyze the additional cost of robot-assisted groin hernia repair compared to conventional laparoscopic repair. A cost-benefit analysis will be carried out for groin hernia repairs performed by the same surgeon (Dr. Filip Muysoms) in the period 2016-2019.

As primary endpoint, direct costs related to the introduction of robot-assisted groin hernia repair will be analyzed. These are: material costs, costs related to hospital stay, honoraria and costs related to intrahospital complications. A comparison will be made between conventional laparoscopic and robot-assisted groin hernia repair.

As secondary endpoint, indirect costs will be compared between both groups. These include costs related to late complications and readmissions related to the index operation.

Enrollment: 677 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• adult patients
• underwent uni-or bilateral groin hernia repair in the period 2015- 2019
• surgery through minimal invasive repair

Exclusion criteria

• open surgery or conversion from minimal-invasive to open surgery
• combined procedures
• age below 18 years

Trial design

677 participants in 2 patient groups

Robot-assisted laparoscopy

Description:

Patients who underwent robot-assisted groin hernia repair

Treatment:

Procedure: Robot-assisted hernia repair

Conventional laparoscopy

Description:

Patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic groin hernia repair