LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA REPAIR IN AUSTRALIA - SOME COST AND EFFECTIVENESSCONSIDERATIONS

As with other minimal access surgical methods, laparoscopic herniorrha phy has been promoted as offering advantages through shorter hospital stay, quicker return to normal activities, and savings to health care systems. However, available outcome and cost data suggest that this me thod would offer limited advantages when compared with older types of open repair, and would give cost disincentives in comparison with more recent alternatives. On present evidence, laparoscopic hernia repair does not appear to be a highly effective option for health care servic es.