Annals of surgery
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To compare incremental costs associated with complications of elective colectomy using nationally representative data among patients undergoing laparoscopic/open resections for the 4 most frequent diagnoses. ⋯ The results highlight a need to consider the varied/broad impact of complications, offering a stratified paradigm for priority setting in surgery. As we move forward in the development of novel/adaptation of existing interventions, it will be essential to weigh the cost of complications in an evidence-based way.