Robotic Stapling vs Manual Stapling: The results might surprise you

Before the hyper strong academics shoot me for this meta analysis - take it for what it is. A "Deep research" using pro level Chat GPT that goes to the literature and does quite a deep meta analysis. I think it is very good and nuanced and might even surprise .the academics. It is not to the normal meta analysis standards - and not peer rveiewed (clearly.)

And for those asking why a plonker like me is even putting this stuff up... I am a physiologist by background and have authored several papers in my dim n distant past. But I am not an expert researcher by any means. But I assure you you will find this a very very good insight into comparing robotic vs manual stapling (powered and non powered). It's that last statement that is going to drop the Mic a bit here. Because is it really the robot or the smarts? In a recent Poll I asked the pundits on Linked In How important is a console driven stapler on a robot?

the result was this...

I think, as with much in robotics, sentiment drives much or the desire and conveninece another large chunk. But what is the clinical reality? In this post I have published what the meta analysis I ran showed... and well.... I think it is way way way more nuanced that you might think.

Here it is and then my comments to follow:

Download the full PDF here:

Comparison of Robotic vs Manual and Powered Surgical Staplers_ A Comprehensive Analysis.pd

Download PD • 423KB

My comments:

I've been through the data several times - I've seen the data that points to robotic endo cutters in the USA being now the market share leader by company - but still only about 35% of the usage. I think it is about to leap up. Especially with the launch of the SP 45 mm sureform.

It is clear to me that stapling has to be placed in context - it is nuanced and there is no black and white answer. For Bariatrics - it may not be ideal to have a robotic stapler. But for colorectal it seems that it is. For Thoracic - is it the robot or the smart powered stapling?

What I think, is that smart powered staplers give superior results (from my interpretation) than standard manual staplers. And may net net even be more cost effective when complications are take into consideration.

I think in many cases it then comes down to convenience and preference. But more and more people are "choosing" a robotic stapler - and the evidence is clear that if it is a decent powered stapler or robotic stapler - there is no clinical detriment to the patients. So it can really be down to choice of the user.

This steady march is continuing and today it is just Intutive with the stapler. But I know several other companies are ready to drop their versions including the Chinese entrants. Medtronic and JNJ must get a stapler on and soon. And when they do watch that pie chart above soar to 50% robotic vs 50% manual.

These are just opinions of the author for educational purposes.