Cost-effectiveness analysis of medical management versus conservative surgery for early tubal pregnancy.

STUDY QUESTION: Is conservative surgery (laparoscopic salpingotomy) cost-effective, using fertility as the endpoint compared with medical management (Methotrexate) in women with an early tubal pregnancy? SUMMARY ANSWER: Conservative surgery appeared slightly, but not statistically significantly, more effective than medical management but also more costly. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Women with an early tubal pregnancy treated with medical therapy (Methotrexate) or conservative surgery (laparoscopic salpingotomy) have comparable future intrauterine pregnancy rates by natural conception. Also, cost-minimisation studies have shown that medical therapy was less expensive than conservative surgery, but there is no cost-effectiveness study comparing these two treatments with fertility as the endpoint. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A multicentre randomised controlled trial-based (DEMETER study) cost-effectiveness analysis of conservative surgery compared with medical therapy in women with an early tubal pregnancy was performed. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS: Included women had an ultrasound that confirmed an early tubal pregnancy. They were randomly allocated to conservative surgery or to medical therapy. The study clinical outcome was the intrauterine pregnancy rate. The payer's perspective was considered. Costs of conservative surgery and medical therapy were compared. The analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Missing variables were imputed using the fully conditional method. To characterise uncertainty and to provide a summary of it, a non-parametric bootstrap resampling was executed and cost-effectiveness accessibility curves were constructed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: At baseline, costs per woman in the conservative surgery group and in the medical therapy group were 2627€ and 2463€, respectively, with a statistically significant difference of +164€. Conservative surgery resulted in a marginally, but non-significant (P = 0.46), higher future intrauterine pregnancy rate compared to medical therapy (0.700 vs. 0.649); leading, after bootstrap, to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 1299€ (95% CI = -29 252; +29 919). Acceptability curves showed that conservative surgery could be considered a cost-effective treatment at a threshold of 3201€ for one additional future intrauterine pregnancy. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: A limitation was that monetary valuation was carried out using 2016 euros while the DEMETER study took place from 2005 to 2009. Anyway, the results would not have been very different given the marginal changes in the health insurance reimbursement tariffs during this period. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Conservative surgery can be considered a cost-effective treatment, if the additional cost of 3201€ per additional future intrauterine pregnancy is an acceptable financial effort for the payer. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): None. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT 00137982.

Use of Hysterosalpingo-Foam Sonography for Assessment of the Efficacy of Essure Hysteroscopic Sterilization.

OBJECTIVES: Hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) has been suggested to be a possible less invasive alternative to hysterosalpingography (HSG), which is the reference standard for confirmation of tubal occlusion after Essure (Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) hysteroscopic sterilization. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of HyFoSy compared to HSG for confirmation of tubal occlusion after Essure hysteroscopic sterilization. METHODS: A prospective study included 90 patients who underwent Essure hysteroscopic sterilization. Twelve weeks after the sterilization, 2-dimensional transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to assess the microinsert position and was followed by HyFoSy and HSG for evaluation of tubal occlusion. Patients with patent fallopian tubes on HSG were scheduled for additional HSG procedures at 3-month intervals until tubal occlusion was documented. RESULTS: Of 90 enrolled patients, 86 patients with 170 fallopian tubes underwent the complete imaging protocol. Tubal occlusion was evaluated by HyFoSy as an index test and HSG as a reference standard. The accuracy of HyFoSy was 97.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93%-99%). The sensitivity and specificity were 100% (95% CI, 97%-100%) and 54.6% (95% CI, 23%-83%), whereas the positive and negative predictive values were 97.0% (95% CI, 93%-99%) and 100% (95% CI, 42%-100%), respectively. No long-term complications were reported for HyFoSy or HSG. CONCLUSIONS: Given that the concordance rate for tubal occlusion between HyFoSy and HSG was not 100%, an occluded fallopian tube on HyFoSy should be confirmed by HSG, which remains the reference standard for confirmation of tubal occlusion after Essure hysteroscopic sterilization.

Rupture risk factors of fallopian tubal pregnancy.

The present authors analyzed patients' backgrounds and pre-surgical findings to clarify the risk factors of rupture of fallopian tubal pregnancy. The surgical findings 113 cases were clearly diagnosed as fallopian tubal pregnancy with or without rupture. Twenty-six cases of fallopian tubal pregnancy were ruptured and 87 cases were not ruptured at the time of operation. The risk factors of fallopian tubal rupture were assessed by Chi-square for independence test and multiple regression analysis. Obesity (BMI over 26), prior birth history, social welfare entitlement, ultrasonography findings of fetal heart movement, and pre-surgical serum beta-hCG level more than 3,000 mIU/ml patient were significantly higher risk in fallopian tubal rupture. Fertility treatment patient were at significantly lower risk for fallopian tubal rupture. Higher beta-hCG levels, especially >3,000 mIU/ml is associated with increased risk of fallopian tubal rupture in ectopic pregnancy.

Cost and efficacy comparison of in vitro fertilization and tubal anastomosis for women after tubal ligation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cost and efficacy of tubal anastomosis to in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women who desired fertility after a tubal ligation. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Not applicable. INTERVENTION(S): Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cost per ongoing pregnancy. RESULT(S): Cost per ongoing pregnancy for women after tubal anastomosis ranged from $16,446 to $223,482 (2014 USD), whereas IVF ranged from $32,902 to $111,679 (2014 USD). Across maternal age groups <35 and 35-40, years tubal anastomosis was more cost effective than IVF for ongoing pregnancy. Sensitivity analyses validated these findings across a wide range of ongoing pregnancy probabilities as well as costs per procedure. CONCLUSION(S): Tubal anastomosis was the most cost-effective approach for most women less than 41 years of age, whereas IVF was the most cost-effective approach for women aged ≥41 years who desired fertility after tubal ligation. A model was created that can be modified based on cost and success rates in individual clinics for improved patient counseling.

Should IVF be used as first-line treatment or as a last resort? A debate presented at the 2013 Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society meeting.

Infertility outcomes can be influenced by many factors. Although a number of treatments are offered, deciding which one to use first is a controversial topic. Although IVF may have superior efficacy in achieving a live birth with a reasonable safety profile, the availability of cheaper and less invasive treatments preclude its absolute use. For this reason, certain patient groups with 'good-prognosis' infertility are traditionally treated with less invasive treatments first. 'Good-prognosis' infertility may include unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, stage I or II endometriosis, unilateral tubal blockage and diminished ovarian reserve. Here, evidence behind the use of IVF as a first-line treatment is compared with its use as a last-resort option in women with 'good-prognosis' infertility.

Pre-hysterectomy assessment of immediate tubal occlusion with the third-generation ESSURE insert (ESS505).

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of a new iteration of the ESSURE insert (ESS505) to achieve short-term fallopian tube occlusion. DESIGN: Prospective, single center, interventional cohort (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Women scheduled to undergo hysterectomy. INTERVENTION: Patients underwent placement of the ESS505 in the right fallopian tube and ESS305 (the commercially approved previous version of the device) in the left fallopian tube at 30 (n = 10), 60 (n = 10), or 90 (n = 10) days before a planned hysterectomy. Tubal occlusion was assessed via hysterosalpingography (HSG) both at the time of placement and just before hysterectomy. Ultrasound was used to evaluate acute device placement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-five women (mean age, 39.7 years) were enrolled from July 2012 to January 2013, and 30 underwent both ESSURE placement and scheduled hysterectomy. Mean (SD) placement time for the ESS305 and ESS505 devices was 1.4 (0.65) minutes and 1.3 (0.42) minutes, respectively (p = .36). At 1 hour after ESS505 placement, 29 of 30 tubes (97%) exhibited complete occlusion at HSG, compared with only 4 of 30 tubes (13%) after ESS305 placement (p < .001 for difference in occlusion rates). At hysterectomy, the tubal occlusion rate was high in both groups: 97% for ESS505 and 100% for ESS305 tubes. High occlusion rates were observed in each of the 3 duration groups (30, 60, and 90 days). Five women experienced only minor adverse effects. CONCLUSION: ESS505, a modification to the commercially available ESS305 designed to cause immediate tubal occlusion, demonstrated a high rate of both immediate-term and intermediate-term tubal occlusion. Early tubal occlusion may obviate the need for interim alternative contraceptive methods after ESSURE placement.

Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization: an evidence-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization is a minimally invasive alternative to laparoscopic tubal ligation for women who want permanent contraception. The procedures involves non-surgical placement of permanent microinserts into both fallopian tubes. Patients must use alternative contraception for at least 3 months postprocedure until tubal occlusion is confirmed. Compared to tubal ligation, potential advantages of the hysteroscopic procedure are that it can be performed in 10 minutes in an office setting without the use of general or even local anesthesia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to determine the effectiveness and safety of hysteroscopic tubal sterilization compared with tubal ligation for permanent female sterilization. DATA SOURCES: A standard systematic literature search was conducted for studies published from January 1, 2008, until December 11, 2012. REVIEW METHODS: Observational studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses with 1 month or more of follow-up were examined. Outcomes included failure/pregnancy rates, adverse events, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: No RCTs were identified. Two systematic reviews covered 22 observational studies of hysteroscopic sterilization. Only 1 (N = 93) of these 22 studies compared hysteroscopic sterilization to laparoscopic tubal ligation. Two other noncomparative case series not included in the systematic reviews were also identified. In the absence of comparative studies, data on tubal ligation were derived for this analysis from the CREST study, a large, multicentre, prospective, noncomparative observational study in the United States (GRADE low). Overall, hysteroscopic sterilization is associated with lower pregnancy rates and lower complication rates compared to tubal ligation. No deaths have been reported for hysteroscopic sterilization. LIMITATIONS: A lack of long-term follow-up for hysteroscopic sterilization and a paucity of studies that directly compare the two procedures limit this assessment. In addition, optimal placement of the microinsert at the time of hysteroscopy varied among studies. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopic sterilization is associated with: lower pregnancy rates compared to tubal ligation (GRADE very low); lower complication rates compared to tubal ligation (GRADE very low); no significant improvement in patient satisfaction compared to tubal ligation (GRADE very low). PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional tubal ligation for women who want a permanent method of contraception. Both approaches involve closing off the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from moving down the tube and the sperm from reaching the egg. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure to tie or seal the fallopian tubes, and it usually requires general anesthesia. In contrast, hysteroscopic tubal sterilization can be performed in 10 minutes in an office setting without general or even local anesthesia. A tiny device called a microinsert is inserted into each fallopian tube through the vagina, cervix, and uterus without surgery. An instrument called a hysteroscope allows the doctor to see inside the body for the procedure. Once the microinserts are in place, scar tissue forms around them and blocks the fallopian tubes. Health Quality Ontario conducted a review of the effectiveness and safety of hysteroscopic tubal sterilization compared to tubal ligation. This review indicates that hysteroscopic tubal sterilization is associated with: lower pregnancy rates compared to tubal ligation; lower complication rates compared to tubal ligation; no significant improvement in patient satisfaction compared to tubal ligation. However, we found a number of limitations to the studies available on hysteroscopic tubal sterilization. Among other concerns, most studies did not include long-term follow-up and only 1 study directly compared hysteroscopic tubal sterilization to tubal ligation.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): assessment of peritoneal bacterial load after intraperitoneal antimicrobial wash and evaluation of hemodynamic changes in a porcine model.

AIMS: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a promising newly developed procedure; however, it is associated with many complications. The main aim of our study is to assess whether peritoneal wash with antibiotics decreases the bacterial load contamination related to the transgastric approach. METHODS: Ten female farm pigs underwent transgastric peritoneoscopy with fallopian tubal ligation. Five pigs were randomized to antibiotic wash of the peritoneal cavity and five to placebo. All animals were given one intravenous dose of antibiotic before the procedure. Hemodynamic variables were continuously monitored throughout the procedure. The next day, peritoneal cultures were taken. The fallopian tubes were inspected to determine the success of ligation and the gastric incision sites were assessed for leakage. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between the antibiotic peritoneal wash group and the placebo group in terms of peritoneal bacterial load with respective median colony-forming units per ml (CFU/ml) of 0 [0; 1] vs. 0 [0; 4], p = 0.637. No clinically significant hemodynamic changes were noted during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that NOTES carries minimal risk of peritoneal bacterial contamination, regardless of the use of intraperitoneal antibiotics, and is not associated with hemodynamic compromise.

Endometrial cancer surgery costs: robot vs laparoscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical costs for endometrial cancer staging between robotic-assisted and traditional laparoscopic methods. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review from November 2005 to July 2006 (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Non-university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-three women with diagnosed endometrial cancer undergoing hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and paraaortic lymph node resection. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent either robotic or traditional laparoscopic surgery without randomization. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hospital cost data were obtained for operating room time, instrument use, and disposable items from hospital billing records and provided by the finance department. Separate overall hospital stay costs were also obtained. Mean operative costs were higher for robotic procedures ($3323 vs $2029; p<.001), due in part to longer operating room time ($1549 vs $1335; p=.03). The more significant cost difference was due to disposable instrumentation ($1755 vs $672; p<.001). Total hospital costs were also higher for robotic-assisted procedures ($5084 vs $ 3615; p=.002). CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery costs were significantly higher than traditional laparoscopy costs for staging of endometrial cancer in this small cohort of patients.

[Fertility after ectopic pregnancy]. / Fertilité après grossesse extra-utérine.

BACKGROUND: The subsequent fertility of women who had experienced ectopic pregnancy (EP) is the best criteria of the effectiveness of the treatment. In the absence of randomised trials comparing laparotomy, laparoscopy, medical treatment by methotrexate (MTX) and expectative, the only way to compare treatments is to make use of data from observational studies. METHODS: The databases consulted were Medline, Cochrane Library, National Guideline Clearinghouse and Health Technology Assessment Database. Keywords used for research: fertility; ectopic pregnancy; expectative; methotrexate; salpingectomy; salpingotomy. RESULTS: Twenty-four papers of randomised control trial (RCT) or observational studies were analysed. No difference between laparotomy and laparoscopy for fertility was found. Tubal suture does not modify the subsequent fertility. The risk of normal pregnancy or ectopic recurrence is similar between salpingotomy or salpingectomy when controlateral tube is normal. Conversely, in case of altered tube, the fertility appears higher after conservative treatment. Between conservative treatments, surgical or medical, no difference appears. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative surgical treatment is the gold standard. However, the fertility seems similar with the other treatments. Three ongoing RCT could answer to the three main questions: Which is the best fertility between medical and conservative surgical treatment? Which is the best fertility between radical and conservative surgical treatment? Which is the best fertility between MTX and expectative?

Assessment of three-dimensional ultrasound examination classification to check the position of the tubal sterilization microinsert.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound to determine the position of Essure microinserts. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Gynecology department in a teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Forty women who underwent hysteroscopic sterilization from March through October 2008. INTERVENTION(S): Both 3D ultrasound and hysterosalpingography (HSG) were performed 3 months after the procedure to verify device position. Positions seen on 3D ultrasound were classified in four categories: a perfect position (1 + 2 + 3), a proximal position (1 + 2), a distal position (2 + 3), and a very distal position (3-only). MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE(S): Microinsert position on 3D ultrasound and correlation with HSG. RESULT(S): Overall, 93% of the devices for 40 patients were found to have been placed successfully. The final sample comprised 64 Essure devices. HSG showed tubal patency for only three devices, all classified as 3-only. No tubal permeability was noted for the other 61 positions. This 3-only location on 3D ultrasound was statistically associated with a failure of sterilization in comparison with the other locations (3/16 [18%] vs. 0/48 [0%]). CONCLUSION(S): 3D ultrasound is a simple and reproducible technique to assess the position of the Essure microinsert and appears to protect most patients from the negative aspects of pelvic radiography and of HSG. Using the 3D ultrasound classification presented in this study appears to make it possible to use HSG for backup confirmation only when Essure is found to be in the 3-only position on 3D ultrasound.

Virtual hysterosalpingography and hysteroscopy: assessment of uterine cavity and fallopian tubes using 64-detector computed tomography data sets.

Hysterosalpingography is the primary technique in providing coarse information on the morphology of endometrial cavity and fallopian tubes. In this preliminary study, 64-detector computed tomography was used for three-dimensional imaging of endometrium and fallopian tubes.

[Analysis of operative indications and outcomes in 238 re-operations after abdominal surgery in an economically disadvantaged setting]. / Réinterventions de chirurgie abdominale en milieu défavorisé : indications et suites opératoires (238 cas).

AIM OF THE STUDY: We analyse aspects of re-operative abdominal surgery in an economically disadvantaged environment with respect to indications, operative findings, treatment modalities, and outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review over a seven-year period of patients requiring re-operative surgery during the same hospitalization or within 30 days of initial surgery. RESULTS: During the study period, 7714 laparotomies were performed. Two hundred and seventy-seven (3.6%) required re-operation; of these, 238 charts (86%) were able to be reviewed. The decision for operative re-intervention was made mainly on the basis of clinical findings. Postoperative peritonitis (50.8%), adhesive bowel obstruction (23.9%), and intestinal fistula (10.9%) were the main indications for re-intervention. Complications occurred in 35% and included postoperative infection (n=70, 33%) and abdominal wall dehiscence (n=37, 15.5%). Mortality was 18% and increased significantly when the initial operative procedure was for peritonitis and re-operation was due to septic complications. CONCLUSION: In an economically disadvantaged environment, the re-operation rate after an abdominal surgery does not seem to be higher than that seen in series from developed countries, although there may be factors which bias this observation. The mortality rate for cases with postoperative peritonitis is high, but operative re-intervention based on clinical findings is still considered the favored strategy in our environment. Results may improve with better material medical conditions.

Assessment of tubal disorder as a risk factor for repeat ectopic pregnancy after laparoscopic surgery for tubal pregnancy.

UNLABELLED: HEADING AIMS: We evaluated tubal disorders, including peritubal adhesions, as risk factors for repeat ectopic pregnancy (REP) after laparoscopic linear salpingotomy (LS) or salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy. METHODS: This was a retrospective clinical study in a university hospital. RESULTS: Of 43 women monitored for at least 6 months after LS, 28 (65%) subsequently conceived. In 24 (86%) of these women the pregnancy was intrauterine, and four (14%) had REP. Of 40 women with a unilateral tube monitored for at least 6 months after salpingectomy, 24 (60%) conceived. In 17 (71%) of these women the pregnancy was intrauterine, and seven (29%) had REP. There was no significant difference between groups in postoperative pregnancy or REP rates. There was no significant difference in the mean adhesion score by revised American Fertility Society stage points (re-AFS) at operation and the site of subsequent pregnancy in either the LS or the salpingectomy group, although the mean re-AFS score was significantly higher in women who had REP (3.1) than in those whose subsequent pregnancy was intrauterine (0.4). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in postoperative pregnancy or REP rates following previous LS or salpingectomy. The re-AFS score appeared to be an accurate predictor of the prognosis of subsequent pregnancies.

Risk-reducing surgery for ovarian cancer: outcomes in 300 surgeries suggest a low peritoneal primary risk.

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is currently advocated for the reduction of both breast and ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1/2 carriers, but residual risk of peritoneal primary cancer remains a concern. A sequential series of women attending a single institution for ovarian risk management underwent either risk-reducing surgery or screening. A person-years at risk analysis was used to compare observed versus expected cancers. In total, 300 women underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, including 160 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Three occult ovarian cancers were detected at surgery. There have been 2400.4 years of follow-up and 15.79 expected cancers. No peritoneal cancers have occurred. Amongst 503 women controls with 3444.3 years of follow-up, 15.93 ovarian cancers were expected and 17 were found. There were six ovarian cancer-related deaths in the control group compared with one in the surgery group. Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in a single institution has so far avoided peritoneal cancer incidence.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy in the treatment of endometrial cancer: a systematic review.

We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without lymphadenectomy and open surgery in women with endometrial cancer. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken. Bibliographic searches of the Health Technology Assessment, National Health Service Economic Evaluation, DARE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase, Pascal Biomed, and Cinahl databases were made. This study sought to include systematic reviews, health technology assessment reports, and randomized clinical trials comparing laparoscopic surgery (LS) with open surgery for the treatment of endometrial cancer. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a clinical trial checklist. The clinical studies finally included were 4 randomized clinical trials. The short-term results described show that LS offers advantages with respect to postoperative recovery, including reduced bleeding, a need for fewer days of intravenous fluid therapy, and a reduced need for pain killers. In addition, intraoperative and postoperative complications were fewer among those who underwent LS in all the studies consulted. The mean hospital stay of those who underwent LS was 3 to 4 days shorter, and they returned to normal activity sooner. The number of lymph glands resected was the same with both techniques. The LS was associated with a better quality of life after surgery. With respect to long-term results, no significant differences were found in relation to overall, disease-free or cause-specific survival, according to 1 study. The short-term results of LS are equivalent or better than those achieved with open surgery, whereas the long-term results obtained by both seems equivalent but more studies are needed assessing this outcome.

Robotic tubal anastomosis: surgical technique and cost effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of robotic microsurgical tubal anastomosis and compare the results and cost effectiveness with the same procedure performed by laparotomy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Patients with a history of bilateral tubal ligation who desired reversal for future fertility. INTERVENTION(S): Tubal anastomoses through either a robotic approach or through a laparotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Operative times, hospitalization, complications, postoperative patency, clinical outcomes, and the cost per live birth. RESULT(S): The mean operative time for robotic anastomoses was statistically significantly greater than open anastomoses (ROBOT 201 minutes; OPEN 155.3 minutes), although hospitalization times were statistically significantly shorter (ROBOT 4 hours; OPEN 34.7 hours). The return to instrumental activities of daily living was accelerated in the patients who had undergone a robotic anastomosis (ROBOT 11.1 days; OPEN 28.1 days). Although this was a small series, the pregnancy rates were comparable between groups (ROBOT 62.5%; OPEN 50%), yet the rate of abnormal pregnancy was higher in the robotic group (ectopic: ROBOT 4, OPEN 1; spontaneous pregnancy loss: ROBOT 2, OPEN 1). The cost per delivery was similar between the groups (ROBOT $92,488.00, OPEN $92,205.90). CONCLUSION(S): Robotically assisted laparoscopic microsurgical tubal anastomosis is feasible and cost effective with results that are comparable with the traditional open approach.