As one of the surgeons that signed that letter I can put some of your conspiracy theories to rest. All of the signees are epicenter surgeons. It is not a Gravy Train. We do get reimbursed for case observation (as do non-epicenter surgeons - we are offering time, energy, teaching and expertise). A day of case observation yields us approximately what we make in 1 hour of surgery. Likely less. Proctoring is a flat fee, but many of us don't proctor, as our practices are too busy. Non-epicenter physicians are also paid for proctoring. You are giving up a whole day of your practice. I certainly don't proctor very often, and then only friends and local referring physicians. I often waive my fee, and have proctored over $90,000 dollars worth for nothing.
The letter was cobbled together from the joint responses of many of us epicenter docs, not written by Intuitive. There must have been 200 emails as the letter evolved over the weekend, with input from all of us.
What would you want your wife to have? Your mother? Just no contest. You'd be a nincompoop to answer vaginal hysterectomy. One is operating blindly at the bottom of a well. The ureters are not visualized, the pedicles are not taken down sequentially or precisely - it's a surgical crap-shoot. Likewise laparoscopic assisted. I believe in robotics because it offers superior safety and superior outcomes. Period.
