Cost-benefit analysis comparing laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic surgery is a successful treatment option offering significant advantages to patients compared with open ventral hernia repair. A cost-benefit analysis was performed to compare the clinical results and economic costs of the open and laparoscopic techniques for anterior abdominal wall hernia repair, in order to determine the more efficient procedure.


METHODS
We performed a prospective study of 140 patients with primary and incisional hernia, and analyzed clinical data, morbidity, costs of surgery and hospital stay costs.


RESULTS
The cost of disposable surgical supplies was higher with laparoscopic repair but reduced the average length of stay (P<.001) and patient morbidity (P<.001). The total cost of the laparoscopic procedure was, therefore, less than initially estimated, yielding a savings of 1,260€ per patient (2,865€ vs. 4,125€).


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is associated with a reduced complication rate, a lower average length of stay and with lower total costs. Laparoscopic repair can save 1.260€ for each patient, and so this procedure should be considered a cost-effective approach.
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España. Electronic address: rosacarmen.fernandez@salud.madrid.org.
Rosa
R
Fernández Lobato
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España.
Juan Carlos
JC
Ruiz de Adana Belbel
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España.
Francisco
F
Angulo Morales
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España.
Javier
J
García Septiem
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España.
Francisco Javier
FJ
Marín Lucas
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España.
Manuel
M
Limones Esteban
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
Cost-benefit study; Efficient in surgery; Eficiencia en cirugía; Estudio de coste-beneficio; Incisional ventral repair; Laparoscopia; Laparoscopy; Reparación ventral incisional