Robot-assisted surgery for orthopaedic procedures: early value assessment

  • Health technology evaluation
  • HTE22
  • Published: 

Register as a stakeholder

Download (PDF)

Resource impact summary report

Resource impact summary report

Recommendation

Six technologies can be used in the NHS during the evidence generation period as options for robot-assisted surgery for knee or hip replacements. The technologies are:

  • ApolloKnee System

  • CORI Surgical System

  • Mako SmartRobotics

  • ROSA Knee Solution

  • Skywalker Robotic-assisted Technology

  • VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution.

These technologies can only be used if the evidence outlined in the evidence generation plan for robot-assisted surgery for orthopaedic procedures is being generated. Depending on current local practice, areas that may need additional resources and result in additional costs include:

  • the purchase or lease costs of the technology and any associated contracts

  • time required for training NHS staff, so they are conversant with the technology

  • time required to set up the technology

  • costs associated with the service and maintenance of the technology

  • additional consumable equipment costs per procedure

  • additional preoperative CT images needed for some technologies.

The recommended technologies can only be used with specific implants made by that company, which may have financial implications.

A key potential benefit of the robot-assisted surgery is the precise positioning of the implant. This helps the surgeon to position and align the implants in the correct position for each person. This may:

  • reduce the demand for revision surgery

  • improve patient satisfaction and shorten recovery time, reducing the need for follow-up appointments with GPs, surgeons and physiotherapists, and the prescription of pain management medicines.

There is a learning curve associated with robot-assisted surgery. Patient outcomes and service efficiency may not be maximised until the end of the learning curve.

Other benefits may be identified during the evidence generation process.

Key information

Table 4 Key information

Commissioners

Integrated Care Boards
Providers

NHS hospital trusts

About this resource impact summary report

This resource impact summary report accompanies the NICE Early Value Assessment guidance on Robot-assisted surgery for orthopaedic procedures and should be read with it. See terms and conditions on the NICE website.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-6966-1

This page was last updated: