Cm. Dixon et C. Theune, EVALUATING THE COST OF LASERS FOR THE TREATMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA, Journal of endourology, 9(2), 1995, pp. 189-193
Cost is an extremely complex equation with many variables, but itemize
d hospital bills are useful in analysis because they reflect costs as
defined by an institution. Using this data source, we found that the t
otal cost of an outpatient visual laser-assisted prostatectomy ($6,872
.42) is almost the same as that of transurethral resection with a 3-da
y hospital stay ($6,925.00). Use of local anesthesia, improvement in t
he efficiency of tissue vaporization, and increases in fiber durabilit
y to permit multiple use would reduce laser prostatectomy costs. The t
rue economic impact of laser prostatectomy awaits a long-term analysis
that takes into account the costs of late complications and of reoper
ation.