TDNet Discover

Background: Gallbladder disease affects over 2 million Americans annually, with increasing prevalence due to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. While laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has long been the gold standard treatment due to its minimally invasive nature and favorable outcomes, the emergence of robotic cholecystectomy (RC) has introduced new possibilities. However, questions remain about the comparative effectiveness and costefficiency between the 2 approaches. Purpose: This EBCR aimed to evaluate perioperative outcomes and cost effectiveness between LC and RC for adults with benign gallbladder disease. Methods: A structured search was conducted across 6 major databases, with inclusion criteria focusing on peer-reviewed studies within the last 10 years evaluating benign gallbladder disease. Articles were assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Study Quality Assessment Tool. Three high-quality studies were selected for comprehensive analysis. Results: Findings showed no significant differences between RC and LC in the majority of intraoperative or postoperative complications, including blood loss, wound infection, or readmission rates. However, RC was consistently associated with longer operative times and higher costs. The length of postoperative hospital stay was comparable between both techniques. Conclusion: While RC offers technical advantages, it currently does not provide superior clinical outcomes over LC and remains less cost-effective. LC continues to be the preferred surgical approach for routine treatment of benign gallbladder disease, with RC potentially reserved for more complex cases.