Minimally advantageous?.

This Chinese retrospective study comparing propensity-matched oncologic outcomes following endoscopic or robotic breast surgery versus conventional breast surgery across 2412 cases (86% mastectomy / 14% lumpectomy) reports no difference in cancer recurrence or survival. What’s news to us is that there exists “minimally invasive” techniques less invasive than conventional surgeries on a superficial structure. Apparently the goal is smaller, less conspicuously-located incisions at the cost of longer and more expensive procedures. We’ll leave it to others to decide if that is a goal worth paying for.  | Wan, JAMA Surg 2022