Abstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into robotic-assisted surgery is revolutionizing surgical care by improving precision. This chapter presents a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing AI-enhanced robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (AI-RARP) to conventional open radical prostatectomy (ORP). We estimated clinical outcomes and healthcare costs using a model based on quality-adjusted life years and recent literature. Despite higher upfront costs, AI-RARP demonstrates superior patient outcomes to ORP, including fewer complications and faster recovery. AI-RARP’s incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $11,095 is well below the accepted threshold for the United States as a high-resource setting of $115,180, indicating good value for the additional cost. Continuous advances in AI-driven surgical technologies are expected to reduce costs, making medical robotics even more cost-effective. We recommend postmarket surveillance, algorithmic transparency, and human oversight, among other policies, to mitigate AI’s potential inequalities and risks. Overall, AI-enhanced robotics offers promising clinical and economic benefits, supporting its role in advancing value-based surgical care.