What Is Needed to Determine and Potentially Improve the Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Reconstructive Urinary Tract and Pelvic Floor Surgery?-ICI-RS 2024

INTRODUCTION: Robot-assisted (RA) surgery has many advantages for urinary tract and pelvic floor reconstruction (UTPFR) but its application is only slowly increasing. Studies are limited in number, patients and follow-up duration. The low-volume high-complexity nature of UTPFR warrants specific research to evaluate the potential role of the RA approach.

METHODS: During its 2024 meeting in Bristol, the International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) reviewed the current literature on RA UTPFR. Priority research questions and strategies were explored in a proposal.

RESULTS: Four different topics were discussed. (1) Large multicentre prospective studies on RA UTPFR are needed to evaluate clinical effectiveness and safety. The RA approach needs to be prioritized in specific procedures and patients, to first improve patient care where gains are highest. (2) Models for cost-utility analysis for RA UTPFR are needed to (re)direct limited resources as efficiently as possible in a quickly changing technological field. (3) A modular curriculum for training UTPFR surgeons to become RA certified needs to be developed, to allow valid interpretation and comparison of outcomes. (4) Technological improvements to address tissue handling, accessibility, efficiency and sustainability are needed. Digitalization can be a gamechanger for RA UTPFR through telesurgery (training and expertize coverage), augmented reality and artificial intelligence providing intra-operative assistance, assessment and feedback.

CONCLUSIONS: The proposal discussed the need for studies on clinical and cost effectiveness, safety, and training curriculum development for RA UTPFR. Recent technological developments hold great promise for RA UTPFR. High-priority research questions were identified.