Laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy. An analysis of clinical and financial aspects
Schietroma, M.; Carlei, F.; Liakos, C.; Rossi, M.; Carloni, A.; Enang, G.N.; Pistoia, M.A.
Panminerva Medica 43(4): 239-242
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-0808 PMID: 11677417 Document Number: 534144
Background: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and financial aspects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) compared to open cholecystectomy (OC). Methods: Thirty-six patients treated with LC were prospectively, not randomized, compared with 35 patients that underwent OC. The data used were taken from local registers, patient-statistics and hospital accounting systems. We evaluated the costs, morbidity and mortality for both surgical procedures. Results: Significant differences were observed concerning the number of days that pain was suffered (mean 7.6 days in LC versus 18.5 days in OC), the duration of postoperative hospitalization (LC mean 2-3 days; OC 7-9 days), the extent of postoperative monitoring performed, and the number of days in order to return to normal activity (mean 4.4 days in LC; mean 7.6 days in OC). Calculation of the costs was based on the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG). The profit for a DRG is the result of the difference between the reimbursement obtained from the execution of the operation and the cost in order to carry it out. The total cost for the execution of LC is Italian pnd 3,332,632 with a profit of Italian pnd 1,208,807 while for OC the cost is pnd 4,007,359 and the profit is pnd 347,041. Conclusions: The results of our study is that, clinically and financially, LC has obvious advantages over OC.