title: Cost analysis for thoracoscopy: thoracoscopic wedge resection and lobectomy.
abstract: We reviewed our experience with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in our most recent 80 patients for the purpose of cost analysis. The costs incurred in the patients undergoing a VATS wedge resection for nodules (n = 30) and a VATS lobectomy for lung cancer (n = 10) were compared with the costs in similar patients undergoing a wedge resection (n = 20) and lobectomy (n = 20) using open techniques. The disposable instrument costs were US $1071 higher for a VATS wedge resection; however, the operative time was shorter (0.99 h for VATS versus 1.75 h for the open procedure). The length of hospital stay was also shorter after a VATS wedge resection (10.4 days for VATS versus 16.8 days for the open procedure), thus resulting in lower total hospital charge in the VATS group. The disposable instrument costs were $3190 higher for a VATS lobectomy, and the operative time was longer (5.56 h for VATS versus 4.25 h for the open procedure). The length of hospital stay was similar in both groups (25.2 days for VATS versus 27.7 days for the open procedure), thus resulting in a higher total hospital charge in the VATS lobectomy group. The cost of a VATS wedge resection for removing peripheral nodules is competitive with that of open techniques, but the cost of a VATS lobectomy is higher than that for an open lobectomy.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaneda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nawata
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nawata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Esato
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000191:economics; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017722:Hospital Charges; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013997:Time Factors; D014741:Video Recording