A cost comparison of laparoscopic versus open radical cystoprostatectomy and orthotopic ileal neobladder at a single institution.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the specific cost components in two similar groups of patients who underwent laparoscopic or open radical cystoprostatectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder at our Institution.


METHODS
Between November 2000 and July 2004, 20 men with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent laparoscopic (group 1) or open (group 2) radical cystoprostatectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder. We evaluated the costs of hospital stay, surgical consumables and operating room occupation. At our Institution one day of hospital stay costs Euro 625 while one hour of operating room costs Euro 520 (professional fees included).


RESULTS
Hospital stay and operating room occupation in group 1 and 2 were statistically different (respectively 395.5 versus 275 min and 10.5 versus 18.9 days). Surgical consumables cost Euro 637 for patients in group 1 versus Euro 270 for patients in group 2. With the considered issues, at our Institution laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy costs Euro 10,626 whereas open radical cystoprostatectomy costs Euro 14,465.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy seems associated with a shorter hospital stay and with a reduction of costs if compared to the open approach.
Department of Urology, Luigi Sacco University Medical Center, Milan, Italy. greg001@libero.it
Andrea
A
Gregori
Stefano
S
Galli
Ioannis
I
Goumas
Francesco
F
Scieri
Silvio
S
Stener
Franco
F
Gaboardi
D000368:Aged; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D015653:Cystectomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery*; D014547:Urinary Diversion / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D016476:Urinary Reservoirs, Continent / Q000191:economics*