Objective
We analyzed the content, quality, and accuracy of information provided on hospital
web sites about robotic gynecologic surgery.
Study Design
An analysis of hospitals with more than 200 beds from a selection of states was performed.
Hospital web sites were analyzed for the content and quality of data regarding robotic-assisted
surgery.
Results
Among 432 hospitals, the web sites of 192 (44.4%) contained marketing for robotic
gynecologic surgery. Stock images (64.1%) and text (24.0%) derived from the robot
manufacturer were frequent. Although most sites reported improved perioperative outcomes,
limitations of robotics including cost, complications, and operative time were discussed
only 3.7%, 1.6%, and 3.7% of the time, respectively. Only 47.9% of the web sites described
a comparison group.
Conclusion
Marketing of robotic gynecologic surgery is widespread. Much of the content is not
based on high-quality data, fails to present alternative procedures, and relies on
stock text and images.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 02, 2012
Accepted:
June 27,
2012
Received in revised form:
June 13,
2012
Received:
May 9,
2012
Footnotes
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Cite this article as: Schiavone MB, Kuo EC, Naumann RW, et al. The commercialization of robotic surgery: unsubstantiated marketing of gynecologic surgery by hospitals. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012;207:174.e1-7.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
