Comparative Study of Postoperative Recovery and Pain Between Da Vinci Robotic Surgery and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND

Comparative data on postoperative outcomes between da Vinci robotic surgery and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) remain limited. This study compared pain, recovery, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness between these approaches.

METHODS

This propensity score-matched retrospective study included 60 patients (30 per group) undergoing thoracic surgery (January 2022-December 2024). Outcomes included VAS pain scores, morphine equivalents, SF-36 quality of life, 3-month chronic pain assessment, and cost-utility analysis.

RESULTS

The da Vinci group had lower VAS scores at 4 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h (p < 0.001), with 33.6% less morphine consumption. Chest tube duration (4.55 ± 2.06 vs. 6.23 ± 2.41 days, p = 0.005) and hospital stay (5.69 ± 2.46 vs. 7.87 ± 2.83 days, p = 0.002) were shorter. SF-36 physical scores favoured robotic surgery at discharge (p = 0.006). Chronic pain at 3 months trended lower (10.7% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.168). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 570,000 CNY/QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

Da Vinci robotic surgery is associated with reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery compared with VATS, though cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits require further investigation.