title: Cost minimization analysis of laparoscopic sacral colpopexy and total vaginal mesh.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was a cost minimization analysis of the laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) and total vaginal mesh (TVM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary clinical costs were derived from our randomized control trial comparing LSC and TVM and were compared using prices from privately- and publicly-conducted procedures. Womens' opportunity cost of time were added to these estimates to produce estimates of the primary economic costs of the procedures. Reoperation costs were added to estimate the economic cost per subject.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LSC has lower mean primary clinical cost as compared with the TVM in both the public (mean difference, $1102.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 468.52-1737.385) and private models (mean difference, $1176.68; 95% CI, 1116.85-1236.51), respectively. Mean total economic costs were significantly lower in the LSC group as compared with the TVM ($4013.07; 95% CI, 3107.77-4918.37). Labor costs were significantly greater in the LSC but were offset by lower consumable, inpatient, opportunity, and reoperation costs as compared with the TVM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LSC has lower economic cost than TVM.
authors.affiliation: Wesley, Royal Brisbane, and Mater Urogynecology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. chrismaher@urogynaecology.com.au
authors.forename: Christopher F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Luke B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Connelly
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics*; D011793:Queensland; D012086:Reoperation / Q000191:economics; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000191:economics*; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*