Background
Robot Assisted Surgery (RAS), which enhances the capabilities of surgeons, marks a significant milestone in the development of clinical medicine. These robots are primarily categorized into laparoscopic, orthopedic, endovascular, natural orifice transluminal, and percutaneous interventional surgical robots. Laparoscopic surgical robots are the most widely used in clinical settings They are employed for resection surgeries at various sites, including the colon and rectum, liver, pancreas, and prostate in general surgery, hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery, and urology. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic and robotic assisted surgeries have the advantage of being less invasive, thus facilitating a faster postoperative recovery. Additionally, compared to traditional laparoscopic surgeries, robot-assisted surgeries provide clearer surgical visualization, more flexible and stable mechanical arms, tremor filtration, and enhanced precision, which are particularly advantageous for executing complicated operations and protecting neural functions.
To promote the SMART cohort project, Peking University Institute of Global Health and Development called for parallel study proposals on "Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of Surgical Robots" and invited ten leading experts in the HTA field to independently review seventeen submitted proposals. Based on the review scores and thematic representation (to avoid overlap in research content), eight studies were selected for funding in the first round of 2023, each with a research duration of one year.
Awarded projects of the 2023 Surgical Robot Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Parallel Studies
(sorted by strokes of the last name of the project PI)
S/N |
Title |
Abstract |
PI |
1 |
Clinical efficacy and health economics evaluation of robot-assisted hip and knee replacement based on real-world data |
Using data from a cohort of patients undergoing hip and knee replacement in Jishuitan Hospital, the study aims to examine differences in clinical and health outcomes, costs, and cost-effectiveness between robot-assisted surgery and traditional surgery. |
Dr. LYU Beini, Peking University |
2 |
Assessment of the impact of surgical robots on surgical risk and uncertainty |
The study will be a retrospective analysis covering the majority of mainland China to evaluate the impact of surgical robots on the risks and other uncertainties of surgery by examining changes in the degree of volatility in surgical failure/extreme expenditures after the introduction of robotic surgery. |
CHEN Ermo (PhD Candidate), Peking University |
3 |
Clinical Evaluation of Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer Based on Real-World Data |
This research will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) performed at West China Hospital of Sichuan University through a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) with aims of guiding decision-making in prostate cancer treatment and optimizing treatment pathways. |
Dr. CHEN Lei, Sichuan University |
4 |
Does robotic surgery reduce the economic burden of liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic malignant tumors? A micro-level Cost-of-Illness study. |
Focusing on hemi hepatectomy and pancreatoduodenectomy, a retrospective study will be conducted to investigate the direct and indirect costs of RAS, LAS and open surgery for the treatment of malignant tumors of liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The study will alsoevaluate whether RAS reduces the economic burden of such diseases. |
Dr. WU Ziting, Peking University |
5 |
The role of artificial intelligence in facilitating women's breakthrough of career barriers: an empirical analysis based on surgical robots |
This study aims to explore the potential impact of technological advancement—specifically the introduction of surgical robots—on the career barriers women face in the field of surgical medicine. |
Dr. YI Junjian, Peking University |
6 |
Economic evaluation of medical robotics and laparoscopy for hepatocellular carcinoma resection |
A retrospective cohort study will be conducted using real-world data to explore the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectivenss of medical robotics versus laparoscopy for hepatocellular carcinoma resection. |
Dr. LIANG Xiao, Zhejiang University |
7 |
Cost-effectiveness analysis of robot-assisted surgery (RAS): a department-level evaluation |
This study will use applied microeconometrics approaches to empirically quantify the consequences and cost-effectiveness of the adoption of medical robots at the departmental level, with aims of providing a comprehensive understanding of their impacts in the healthcare system. |
Dr. PAN Yuhang, Peking University |
8 |
Analysis of the current situation and influencing factors of surgical robots |
The main idea of this project is "current situation description-distribution difference-difference analysis." The project with describe the status of the overall use of surgical robots, reveal different surgical techniques, population groups, and departments, and analyze factors influencing such differences. Thee findings will provide empirical evidence for subsequent HTA analyses. |
Dr. PAN Jie, Sichuan University |
