Cost-effectiveness of robotic surgery compared to conventional laparoscopy for the management of early-stage cervical cancer: a model-based economic evaluation in China

Objectives The aim of this study is to assess cost-effectiveness of robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) vs laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) in early-stage cervical cancer (ECC).Design Model-based cost-effectiveness analysis.Setting Based on long-term survival data, a three-state Markov model w...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Min Zhang, Chunlan Chen, Junying Tang, Kexue Pu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-11-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e087113.full
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Summary:Objectives The aim of this study is to assess cost-effectiveness of robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) vs laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) in early-stage cervical cancer (ECC).Design Model-based cost-effectiveness analysis.Setting Based on long-term survival data, a three-state Markov model was constructed using TreeAge Pro 2022 to simulate the possible recurrence of ECC. Data on clinical efficacy and costs were derived from published literature and local databases.Participants A hypothetical cohort of 1000 individuals diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer (FIGO 2009 stages<IIB) who underwent RRH or LRH management.Outcome measures The study endpoints were quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), total costs (in Chinese renminbi (RMB) adjusted to 2023-year values using the Consumer Price Index) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A willingness-to-pay threshold of 268 074 RMB per QALY was used to assess cost-effectiveness.Results Robotic group gained more 4.84 QALYs than the laparoscopic group, but total costs for robotic strategy are substantially higher, with the incremental costs of 1 031 108 RMB. The ICER of robotic strategy is 213 054 RMB per QALY. Outcomes were robust in most one-way sensitivity and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.Conclusions Robotic strategy is on the efficient frontier but incurs substantial initial cost. Our findings indicated that this strategy is a cost-effective treatment option for ECC patients if assessed over a time horizon of patients’ lifetime. This study underscores the need for long-term clinical trials in early-stage cervical cancer patients with follow-up data that capture financial and quality-of-life end points.
ISSN:2044-6055