A COST-MINIMIZATION ANALYSIS OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY VERSUS OPEN CHOLECYSTECTOMY

BACKGROUND: Earlier economic analyses have evaluated charges but not c osts, and have not considered the cost of production losses associated with open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study attempted to a ccomplish an economic evaluation of open versus laparoscopic cholecyst ectomy from the point of view of society. METHODS: A cost-minimization analysis, using a clinical decision model, was performed. The data us ed were taken from different clinical studies, Swedish national regist ers, local patient statistics, and hospital accounting systems. The di rect and indirect costs were measured. RESULTS: Laparoscopic cholecyst ectomy resulted in cost savings per patient amounting to about 2,400 S EK (as of 31 August 1994, pound = 11.90 SEK; $1 = 7.76 SEK) compared w ith open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: From the point of view of society, lapa roscopic cholecystectomy was a cost-saving strategy if at least 68 pat ients were operated on yearly. However, with regard to hospital costs, open cholecystectomy was less expensive than laparoscopic cholecystec tomy.