COST-ANALYSIS OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTEC TOMY IN COMPARISON WITH OPEN CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the cost of laparoscop ic cholecystectomy with that of open cholecystectomy. Design: We analy zed the cost of both procedures regarding hospital stay, days of work lost and the cost derived from the morbidity of the complications of e ach technique in two groups of patients. With these data we were able to calculate direct and indirect costs of both procedures and compare them. Results: Morbidity was similar in both groups and had no influen ce in the cost; cost of the material used for laparoscopic cholecystec tomy was higher; hospital stay and days of lost work were significantl y lower for the laparoscopic procedure than for the open one. The tota l cost of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 23% cheaper than that of op en cholecystectomy. Conclusions: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be cheaper than open cholecystectomy; As the laparoscopic technique becomes-more widespread its cost might decrease even further.