title: [A cost analysis of laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared with the open technic].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the cost of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with that of open cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the cost of both procedures regarding hospital stay, days of work lost and the cost derived from the morbidity of the complications of each technique in two groups of patients. With these data we were able to calculate direct and indirect costs of both procedures and compare them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Morbidity was similar in both groups and had no influence in the cost; cost of the material used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was higher; hospital stay and days of lost work were significantly lower for the laparoscopic procedure than for the open one. The total cost of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 23% cheaper than that of open cholecystectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be cheaper than open cholecystectomy. As the laparoscopic technique becomes more widespread its cost might decrease even further.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Charlo Dupont
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández Martín
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tejido Sánchez
mesh_terms: D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D013030:Spain