In a recent Atlantic post, James Hamblin reports on the increasing frequency with which surgeons perform hysterectomies with the assistance of robots. Here is a picture from that post:
To be clear: robotic surgery doesn’t mean a robot performs the operation. Instead, the surgeon uses a laparoscope, usually, and the surgeon controls the tools at the end of the scopes with the use of a 3D monitor. The surgeon still decides what to cut and what to sew.
Experts are still at odds about whether robotic surgery is better or worse than more traditional techniques. But one thing is universally agreed upon: robotic surgery is more expensive. Can we afford to pay for these newfangled devices? Shouldn’t insurance companies require proof of benefit before shelling out extra dollars for such procedures? Hmmm . . .
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