title: Cost-comparison of laparoscopic and open surgery for mid or low rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy: data from a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the present study was to compare the direct costs of laparoscopic surgery (LS) and open surgery (OS) in the treatment of mid or low rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients in Korea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The records of 130 LS patients and 125 OS patients were reviewed. Hospital stay after surgery and overall complication rates within three months of surgery were not significantly different. The LS group had significantly higher median costs than the OS group ($7,467.30 vs. $5,667.00; P < 0.001). The median hospital costs during hospitalization for surgery were higher in the LS group ($7,436.60 vs. $5,626.60; P < 0.001), but hospital costs for management of early postoperative complications were similar. The higher direct costs of LS were mainly due to the more expensive consumables and equipment needed for LS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further study is needed to determine whether the higher direct costs of LS for rectal cancer are balanced by advantages of LS over OS, such as better short-term outcomes and cosmetic effect.
authors.affiliation: Center for Colorectal Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, 809 Madu1-dong, Ilsan-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 411-769, South Korea. joy@ncc.re.kr
authors.forename: Hae-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Hoo-Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyo Seong
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Seung-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Jae Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*