LAPAROSCOPIC COLPOSUSPENSION - IS IT COST-EFFECTIVE

Background: The laparoscopic approach must be shown to be cost-effecti ve as well as safe and technically effective before being widely adopt ed. A review of 54 consecutive patients who underwent open and laparos copic colposuspension is presented and a cost-analysis is performed co mparing the two approaches. Methods: This study was a retrospective co ntrolled review of patient records and accounts of in-hospital costs i ncurred at a private hospital. Results: Theater costs were significant ly greater in the laparoscopic group but this was balanced by a shorte r length of stay and subsequent reduced accommodation cost. There was no difference in the overall in-hospital costs between the two groups. Conclusion: The laparoscopic surgical approach is safe and effective and by no means more expensive than the open approach. In the future, the laparoscopic approach can only become more cost efficient; techniq ues will improve and there will be earlier returns to work and, subseq uently, greater productivity.