Da Vinci Research and Outcomes
Meaningful evidence through clinical data and outcomes research
The science behind evidence-based care
Intuitive supports the generation of high-quality clinical evidence through sponsored and collaborative research initiatives. We work with clinicians, hospitals and medical/surgical societies to uncover the benefits of Intuitive technologies while maintaining a patients-first mindset and help contribute to the body of knowledge about minimally invasive care.
Sponsored and collaborative research includes multicenter studies and key opinion leader partnerships. We also conduct early feasibility studies, product and indication approval studies, post-approval observational outcomes research, clinical registries, and analyses of real-world evidence (RWE) databases. Examining outcomes data helps generate evidence showing value to patients, surgeons, physicians, societies and other key stakeholders.
Our research includes but is not limited to studies across procedures, bariatrics, colorectal, general surgery, gynecology, thoracic, and urology. We also conduct platform specific studies for systems such as da Vinci SP and the Ion endoluminal system.
Maturing clinical evidence
A large-scale systematic literature review and meta-analysis covering the period 2010-2022 is now available for your reading. These results are based on the COMPARE study and recently published in the Annals of Surgery. This meta-analysis of the global literature represents 22 countries, 7 different oncologic procedures including 230 peer-reviewed publications, covering over 1.1 million robotic cases with the da Vinci surgical systems, over 1 million lap/VATS cases and over 1.6 million open cases. This study highlights the clinical value of robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci surgical system and will help inform evidence-based decision making by physicians, health care providers, payors and policy makers.
Across Procedures research
Impact of type of minimally invasive approach on open conversions across ten common procedures in different specialties
Retrospective cohort study using the Premier Database on patients who underwent common operations.
Healthcare Resource Utilization After Surgical Treatment of Cancer: Value of Minimally Invasive Surgery
A retrospective analysis of cancer patients who underwent colon resection, rectal resection, lobectomy or radical nephrectomy.
Prospective analysis of 164 fires of the SureForm stapler in oncological cases
The first clinical study in India for the da Vinci SureForm stapler with SmartFire technology examines 76 various oncological procedures with an Indian cohort of 76 consecutive cases.
Robotic Technology in Emergency General Surgery Cases in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery
A retrospective cohort study of an all-payer discharge database of 829 US facilities was conducted from calendar years 2013 to 2021.
A study of the use of robotic surgery for outpatient surgery to determine the effect on recovery (MAYFLY)
A research project to investigate the role of a robotic outpatient program in the NHS.
Bariatrics research
Equity in bariatric surgery use: a cohort study
Retrospective claims study examining variation in bariatric surgery across geographies and demographic factors.
Type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery and its impact on healthcare costs
A retrospective commercial claims analysis of the effect of bariatric surgery on type 2 diabetes remission and associated cost savings.
Prospective study on revisional bariatric surgery
A multicenter prospective study evaluates perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted revisional bariatric surgery.
Colorectal research
Right Colectomy Evidence Navigator
A review of 18 studies found that robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system led to lower blood loss, fewer conversions to open surgery, higher lymph node yield, lower ileus rates, and shorter hospital stays compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. Compared to open surgery, RAS had higher lymph node yield, lower rates of ileus and 30-day reoperation, and shorter hospital stays. However, RAS had longer operative times than both lap and open surgery, with other outcomes being similar.
Rectal Resection (LAR/TME/ISR) Evidence Navigator
A review of 55 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system led to lower blood loss, fewer conversions, fewer blood transfusions, shorter hospital stays, lower 30-day mortality, quicker first bowel movement, lower positive surgical margins, and improved sexual and urinary function compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. Compared to open surgery, RAS had less blood loss, higher lymph node yield, shorter length of hospital stay, fewer surgical site infections, and fewer 30-day postoperative complications. RAS had longer operative times than laparoscopic surgery, with other outcomes being similar compared to lap and open.
Sigmoidectomy for Diverticular Disease Evidence Navigator
A review of 12 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system for sigmoidectomy in diverticular disease led to fewer conversions, fewer surgical site infections, fewer 30-day postoperative complications, and shorter hospital stays, but longer operative times compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. Limited data exist comparing RAS to open surgery.
ANCOR study on right colectomy
A multicenter prospective study compares intracorporeal and extracorporeal anastomoses for minimally invasive right colectomy.
SureForm stapler study for colorectal procedures
A single-center study evaluates the performance of the SureForm staplers (60 and 45) for transection and/or creation of anastomosis during robotic-assisted colorectal procedures.
The impact of operative approach on postoperative outcomes and healthcare utilization after colectomy
A retrospective study on elective inpatient left or right colectomy.
A national database propensity score-matched comparison of minimally invasive and open colectomy for long-term opioid use
A retrospective study analyzing patients undergoing colon resection for benign and malignant diseases.
Outcomes comparison of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic and open surgery for patients undergoing rectal cancer resection with concurrent stoma creation
A retrospective study analyzing patients undergoing colon resection for benign and malignant diseases.
Practical consensus statements for surgical management of rectal cancer cases
Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (India Chapter) and Indian rectal cancer expert group published consensus statements around managing localized and locally advanced rectal cancer, specifically in an Indian setting.
Prospective analysis of 246 fires of da Vinci SureForm SmartFire stapler in colorectal cancer: First Indian study
Prospective study of patients who underwent surgeries for sigmoid/rectal cancer
General Surgery research
Ventral Hernia Repair Evidence Navigator
A review of 35 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system had lower conversion rates, fewer surgical site infections, lower pain scores at 30-day follow-up, and decreased hernia recurrence at 2-year follow-up compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. RAS had shorter hospital stays, lower rate of 30-day surgical site infections, lower rate of 30-day readmissions, decreased rate of 30-day hernia recurrence, and lower risk of 30-day mortality than open surgery, but longer operative times than lap and open. Other outcomes were similar across modalities.
Inguinal Hernia Repair Evidence Navigator
A review of 40 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) for inguinal hernia repair had fewer conversions, lower pain scores during hospitalization, and lower recurrence rates compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. RAS had lower pain scores during hospitalization and less 30-day acute postoperative pain than open surgery. RAS had longer operative times than lap and open, with other outcomes similar across modalities.
Cholecystectomy Evidence Navigator
An analysis of 31 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) for cholecystectomy had lower conversion rates and less blood loss than laparoscopic (Lap) surgery but operative times were longer. Other clinical outcomes were comparable. Compared to open surgery, RAS had fewer surgical site infections, fewer blood transfusions, lower rate of 30-day postoperative complications, lower 30-day mortality rate, and shorter hospital stays. An analysis of 7 studies comparing RAS to lap in elective and emergent cholecystectomy found lower conversion rates, less blood loss, a decreased 30-day readmission rate, and longer operative times for RAS elective cholecystectomy, and lower conversion rates and decreased blood loss in RAS emergent cholecystectomy, with similar outcomes for other parameters. Data on other outcomes were limited.
A retrospective study of laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, and open emergent/urgent cholecystectomy
A propensity matched cohort study comparing outcomes of emergent urgent laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy.
Prospective multicenter study of short-term outcomes after complex cholecystectomy
A COMPaCT multicenter prospective cohort study evaluates short-term clinical outcomes after complex robotic-assisted and laparoscopic cholecystectomies (U.S.).
New persistent opioid use following robotic-assisted, laparoscopic and open surgery inguinal hernia repair
A retrospective cohort study of opioid-naïve patients who underwent outpatient primary IHR.
Laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh plus versus robotic transabdominal pre-peritoneal for primary ventral hernias
A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data between July 2021 and June 2022, highlighting technique and outcomes.
Current landscape of minimally invasive pancreatectomy for neoplasms
A retrospective cohort study evaluating minimally invasive pancreatectomy (MIP) trends for neoplastic disease and comparing perioperative outcomes.
Retrospective acute care appendectomy study
A retrospective multicenter evaluation of short-term outcomes after acute care appendectomy.
Gynecology
Hysterectomy Endometrial Cancer Evidence Navigator
A review of 34 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system led to lower blood loss, fewer conversions to open surgery, shorter hospital stays, and lower 30-day mortality rates compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. Compared to open surgery, RAS resulted in less blood loss, fewer blood transfusions, shorter hospital stays, and lower rates of 30-day reoperation, 30-day readmission, 30-day postoperative complications, and 30-day mortality. Pelvic lymph node yield was lower in RAS than in open surgery, while other outcomes were similar to lap and open.
Hysterectomy Cervical Cancer Evidence Navigator
An analysis of 18 publications found that robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system was 65% less likely to be converted to open surgery compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. Compared to open surgery, RAS had less blood loss, fewer blood transfusions, fewer 30-day postoperative complications, and shorter hospital stays. Other outcomes were similar compared to lap and open.
Hysterectomy Benign Evidence Navigator
An analysis of 30 studies found that robotic-assisted (RAS) benign hysterectomy using the da Vinci system led to reduced blood loss and shorter hospital stays compared to open, laparoscopic (Lap), or vaginal procedures. RAS patients had fewer conversions to open surgery, blood transfusions, and 30-day postoperative complications than Lap. Compared to open surgery, RAS patients had fewer blood transfusions, lower rates of intraoperative and 30-day postoperative complications, and lower 30-day mortality rates. Compared to vaginal hysterectomy, RAS patients had fewer intraoperative complications, however, operative time was longer. Other outcomes were comparable across modalities.
Endometriosis Resection Evidence Navigator
A literature review of 9 studies found that compared to laparoscopic surgery (LAP), patients undergoing a robotic-assisted (RAS) endometriosis resection with the da Vinci surgical system had longer operative times. All other outcomes were comparable between RAS and LAP. To date, there is a lack of literature comparing RAS with open endometriosis resection.
Myomectomy Evidence Navigator
A review of 22 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system led to fewer conversions compared to laparoscopic surgery (LAP). The resected fibroid size was significantly larger in RAS compared to LAP, with a greater likelihood of resecting pedunculated fibroids. Compared to open surgery, RAS had fewer blood transfusions, lower rates of postoperative ileus, shorter hospital stays, and less blood loss; however, there was a lower likelihood of resecting subserosal, intramural, and heavy fibroids in RAS compared to open surgery, with a fewer number of fibroids resected and a decreased uterine size in RAS. RAS had longer operative times than LAP and open surgery. Other outcomes were similar to Lap and open surgery.
Robotic assisted benign hysterectomy compared with laparoscopic, vaginal, and open surgery
A systematic review and meta-analysis of perioperative outcomes following robotic hysterectomy versus laparoscopic, open, or vaginal approach.
Next GENERATion of GynEcological Surgery—robotic-assisted surgery in gynecological indications (GENERATE)
A prospective, non-interventional, multi-center, post market clinical study.
Reproductive outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy: 10 years experience
A single-center, retrospective observational study was conducted with patients who underwent Robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM) for fertility enhancement to know fertility outcomes.
Thoracic research
Thymectomy Evidence Navigator
An analysis of 29 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system led to fewer conversions and shorter hospital stays compared to VATS. Compared to open surgery, RAS had lower blood loss, decreased chest tube drainage, shorter chest tube duration, shorter hospital stays, decreased positive margins, fewer ICU admissions, and lower rates of 30-day postoperative complications and 30-day reoperations. Other outcomes were similar across modalities.
Lobectomy Evidence Navigator
A review of 48 publications found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system led to fewer conversions and shorter hospital stays compared to VATS. Compared to open surgery, RAS patients had fewer blood transfusions, decreased positive margins, and lower rates of 30-day postoperative complications and 30-day mortality. RAS patients also had shorter ICU and overall hospital length of stays. Operative time was longer compared to VATS and open surgery. Other outcomes were similar across modalities.
Lobectomy: PORTaL study analysis
Multiple comparative outcomes research publications for lobectomy are presented from PORTaL studies (robotic-assisted, open, and VATS).
Lung Cancer Robotic Comparative Study (LARCS)
Designed to understand the perioperative outcomes of patients and identify the real-world selection process of either VATS and RATS segmentectomy and lobectomy for lung cancers ≤2 cm.
Urology research
Radical Prostatectomy Evidence Navigator
A review of 95 studies found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system led to shorter hospital stays, fewer blood transfusions, lower 30-day mortality and readmission rates, fewer 30-day postoperative complications, lower rates of erectile dysfunction at 12 months, and decreased likelihood of urinary incontinence at 6 and 12 months compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. Compared to open surgery, RAS had lower blood loss, shorter hospital stays, higher lymph node yield, faster continence, and lower rates of blood transfusions, positive surgical margins, 30-day mortality, intraoperative and 30-day postoperative complications, 30-day readmissions, urinary incontinence at 6 months, and erectile dysfunction at 6 and 12 months. RAS had longer operative times than open, with other outcomes similar across modalities.
Partial Nephrectomy Evidence Navigator
An analysis of 33 publications found robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) with the da Vinci system resulted in shorter hospital stays and reduced likelihood of conversion, blood transfusions, 30-day readmissions, and 30-day postoperative complications compared to laparoscopic (Lap) surgery. Compared to open surgery, RAS had lower blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and lower risk of 30-day mortality. RAS also had fewer blood transfusions, intraoperative complications, 30-day postoperative complications, and 30-day readmissions. However, operative time and rates of positive surgical margins were higher in RAS. Other outcomes were similar across modalities.
Systematic literature review of cost-effectiveness analyses of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer
An analysis of cost-effectiveness studies comparing robotic-assisted, open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomies.
One year healthcare costs after robotic assisted and laparoscopic partial and radical nephrectomy: a cohort study
A comparative study analyzing patients with kidney cancer undergoing PN or RN.
Cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer in the UK
A comparison of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and laparoscopic-assisted radical prostatectomy (LRP).
Da Vinci 5 Studies
A prospective post-market study to understand the utility of the force feedback instruments in robotic procedures using the da Vinci 5 robot
An observational study to understand the utility of force feedback instruments in surgeries that are done using the da Vinci 5 robot.
Evaluation of forces applied to tissues during robotic-assisted surgical tasks using a novel force feedback (FFB) technology
This pre-clinical study aims to evaluate the forces applied to tissues using a novel integrated FFB technology, which allows surgeons to sense forces exerted at the instrument tips.
Novel force feedback technology improves suturing in robotic-assisted surgery: a pre-clinical study
This pre-clinical study evaluated the impact of a novel force feedback (FFB) technology, integrated on a next-generation robotic system that allows surgeons to sense forces exerted at the instrument tips, on suturing performance by novice surgeons during RAS.
Da Vinci SP U.S. IDE Clinical Studies
The representative procedures presented under the Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) studies are not 510k cleared and the safety and effectiveness of the product for these listed procedures has not been established. These procedures are currently not available in the U.S.
Single-port system IDE study for nipple-sparing mastectomy
In a randomized evaluation, the safety and effectiveness of single-port nipple-sparing mastectomy procedures is compared to open surgery.
Single-port system IDE study for thoracic procedures
A prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical study was conducted to evaluate the performance and safety of the da Vinci SP surgical system (Intuitive) for thymectomy through a subxiphoid incision.
Note: Study completed and 510(k) clearance obtained.
Digital Product Research
Evaluating Intuitive 3D Models in preoperative surgical planning for thoracic and colorectal procedures
A Retrospective study evaluating the clinical utility of a 3D model with 2D CT/MRI scans during simulated preoperative surgical planning of open, laparoscopic, or robotic-assisted anatomic lung resection (segmentectomy, lobectomy) or Lower Anterior Resection (LAR) procedures.
Interested in participating in research projects?
We actively seek collaborators on a variety of research projects. We partner with surgeons and institutions in studying emerging clinical procedures, advanced technologies and techniques. Our clinical affairs team invites you to learn more and get involved in our collaborative research initiatives.
Intuitive grant programs
In addition to a clinical evidence program, Intuitive has a research and educational grants program. Our awards support clinical and technology developments and further research in the field of surgical robotics.