Higher capital costs and operating room costs associated with Lobectomy via Robot Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) have previously been suggested as the principal contributors to the elevated overall cost. This study uses a micro-costing approach to a previous analysis of clinical outcomes of RATS, Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) and Open Lobectomy to evaluate the most significant cost drivers for the higher cost of robot-assisted lobectomy. A micro-costing model was developed to reflect the pathway of patients from day of surgery through the first 30 days following lobectomy. Costs were provided for RATS, VATS and Open approaches. Sensitivity analysis was performed specifically in the area of staff costs. A threshold sensitivity analysis of the overall cost components was also performed. Total cost per case for the RATS approach was €13,321 for the VATS approach €11,567, and for the Open approach €12,582. The overall cost differences were driven primarily by the elevated consumable costs associated with RATS Lobectomy. Capital costs account for a relatively small proportion of the per-case cost difference. This study presents a detailed analysis of the cost drivers for lobectomy, modelled for the three primary surgical approaches. We believe this is a useful tool for surgeons, hospital management, and service commissioning agencies to accurately and comprehensively determine where cost savings can be applied in their programme to improve the cost-effectiveness of RATS lobectomy.

No abstract

This case reports the largest known malignant solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura treated with en bloc surgical resection warranting the use of cardiopulmonary bypass support. A 60-year-old male presented with dyspnoea and a dry cough. Following extensive investigations, a radiological and histologic diagnosis of malignant solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura was made. This 4.3 kg tumour occupied the entire left hemithorax, involved the left lung and infiltrated into the pericardial cavity. Although the postoperative course was uneventful with a 12-day length of stay, the patient opted not to undergo adjuvant radiotherapy to a single positive margin site and died 6 months later due to local recurrence.