A comparison of quality outcome measures in patients having a hysterectomy for benign disease: robotic vs. non-robotic approaches.

Study Objective: To measure procedure-related hospital readmissions within 30 days after discharge for patients who have a hysterectomy for benign disease. Secondary outcome quality measures evaluated were cost, estimated blood loss, length of stay and sum of costs associated with readmissions.

Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Academic community hospital.

Patients: Patients who underwent hysterectomy to treat benign disease from January 2008 to December 2012.

Interventions: Patients were grouped according to route of hysterectomy: robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy (robotic), laparoscopic hysterectomy (laparoscopic), abdominal hysterectomy (open via laparotomy), and vaginal hysterectomy (vaginal).

Measurements And Main Results: Inclusion criteria were met by 2554 patients: 601 in the robotic group, 427 in the laparoscopic group, 1194 in the abdominal group, and 332 in the vaginal group. Readmission rates in the robotic cohort were significantly less (p<.05) than in non-robotic cohorts: Robotic (1%), laparoscopic (2.5%), open (3.5%), vaginal (2.4%). Estimated blood loss, length of stay, and sum of readmission costs were also significantly less in the robotic cohort (p<.05) compared with the other 3 cohorts.

Conclusion: Patients who undergo robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy have a significantly lower chance of readmission <30 days after surgery compared with those who undergo laparoscopic, abdominal (open) hysterectomy, and vaginal approaches. Patients in the robotics cohort also experienced a shorter length of stay, less estimated blood loss, and a cost savings associated with readmissions when compared to non-robotic approaches. Prospective registries describing quality outcomes, total sum of costs including 30 days follow-up, as well as patient-related quality of life benefits are recommended to confirm these findings and determine which surgical route offers the highest patient and societal value.