title: Laparoscopic or open conventional cholecystectomy: clinical and economic considerations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare clinical aspects and financial costs of open conventional and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of hospital records of patients who were operated on electively for symptomatic gallstone disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  University clinic, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  153 consecutive patients who had open conventional (1991-92) and 222 who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy (1993-96). A total of 251 cholecystectomies were done during 1991-92 and 523 cholecystectomies during 1993-96.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical aspects: operating time, complications, postoperative stay; financial aspects: total cost of hospital stay after cholecystectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When open conventional was compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy: operating time was 66 and 92 minutes; complications, 9 and 6 cases; postoperative stay, 8 and 3 days; and total cost of hospital stay, US $ 3434 and US $ 2808 respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cost of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 18% less than for open conventional cholecystectomy, principally because of the shorter postoperative stay.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wehrman
authors.forename: Hans-Detlef
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Saeger
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kirch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care