Robotic Surgery for Gastric Cancer: Disparities Persist

Robotic-assisted surgery for gastric cancer shows promise but access remains inequitable.

• Use of robotic surgery rose from 1.45% in 2010 to 26.57% in 2021, improving outcomes with shorter hospital stays and better survival rates.
• Key factors limiting access include older age, female sex, black race, uninsured status, and lower income.

Surgeons should advocate for equitable access to robotic capabilities to optimize patient outcomes.

• Disparities suggest systemic issues both in facility access and within surgical practices.