title: Quantifying the cost of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has been widely adopted. While the clinical advantages and disadvantages are well-quantified, the economic cost is less well-studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective audit and case review of a single-centre public hospital consecutive case series was performed using data captured from real-time stock usage tracking technology and review of electronic medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair requires 11-min (21%) extra theatre time and costs $1268 (370%) more for single-use disposable equipment and prostheses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair does not require significantly more theatre time, but has a higher short-term in-hospital cost. Repair technique should be tailored according to patient factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. philip.smart@austin.org.au
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smart
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castles
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult