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

ABSTRACT 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.