Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG)

chb2441 (87.33) Submitted: 2/07/08 9:07 PM : Start Price: $300.00 ISRG Score: 11.46

Great product with clear benefits in terms of precise movements compared to human surgeon, but will NEVER replace traditional surgery for most procedures.


In healthcare today:


1. Robotic surgery is much more expensive with modest benefit in reduction of hospital stay due to smaller incision. (Patients do have smaller incision)


2. Time of operation MUCH longer with its use and for one example, in CT surgery it is often limited- harvesting LIMA and then using open incision to anastomose vessels old fashion way due to difficulty/long time to use robot.


3. The time on OR table increases cost, risk of morbidity to patient, and is an "opportunity cost" to the surgeon who could do more cases and make a lot more money doing it the "old fashioned way."


3. Healthcare is this country is spiraling out of control with high costs, pay for performance on the horizon, and an election looming- Expensive procedure on cutting edge of technology that might be first to be cut from reimbursements?


The costs are staggering to the hospital, insurance company and patient- over one million for the robot, tens of thousands for the disposable parts per case, longer OR time, anesthesia bills...


Pay for performance will push surgeons to choose the safest, best practice to make sure they get paid.


It is my belief that this will most likely be a PR product to get patients in the door to the hospital but likely wont overtake traditional surgical techniques because its more expensive, harder to use (painstakingly slow at times) and cost control is definitely the buzzword in hospitals these days.


I do like the product, but with these issues in mind, the valuation seems to be unjustified.

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