• U Berggren, N Zethraeus, D Arvidsson, U Haglund, and B Jonsson.
• Department of Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.
• Am. J. Surg. 1996 Oct 1; 172 (4): 305-10.

BackgroundEarlier economic analyses have evaluated charges but not costs, and have not considered the cost of production losses associated with open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study attempted to accomplish an economic evaluation of open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy from the point of view of society.MethodsA cost-minimization analysis, using a clinical decision model, was performed. The data used were taken from different clinical studies, Swedish national registers, local patient statistics, and hospital accounting systems. The direct and indirect costs were measured.ResultsLaparoscopic cholecystectomy resulted in cost savings per patient amounting to about 2,400 SEK (as of 31 August 1994, Pound = 11.90 SEK; $1 = 7.76 SEK) compared with open surgery.ConclusionsFrom the point of view of society, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was a cost-saving strategy if at least 68 patients were operated on yearly. However, with regard to hospital costs, open cholecystectomy was less expensive than laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

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