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Economic Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Korea

Surgery Today volume 37, pages 127–132 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the economic outcomes of laparoscopic surgery (LAP) with those of open surgery (OS) for colorectal cancer.

Methods

We compared operating room (OR) costs, OR hospital-profits, total hospital charges, and payments made for 67 consecutive patients who underwent either OS (n = 41) or LAP (n = 26) for colorectal cancer.

Results

The operating time was longer in the LAP group (P < 0.001), but the hospital stay was shorter (P < 0.001). OR costs were higher in the LAP group, which was primarily attributed to the higher costs of consumables (LAP $1441, OS $575; P < 0.001) and the longer operating time (LAP 215 min, OS 155 min; P < 0.001). Total hospital charges were also higher after LAP (LAP $5017, OS $4093; P < 0.001). Patients paid more after LAP (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in National Health Insurance Corporation payments.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic surgery is less cost-effective than OS for colorectal cancer. The higher costs of consumables and the longer operating time associated with LAP must be addressed to make LAP more cost-effective.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-707, South Korea

    Yoo Shin Choi, Taek-Gu Lee & Sung-Bum Kang

  2. Department of Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, 6 Munhwa 1-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 301-747, South Korea

    Sang-Il Lee

  3. Department of Cost Management, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-707, South Korea

    Sung-Wook Kim

  4. Department of Nursing Insurance, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-707, South Korea

    Guineum Cheon

Authors
  1. Yoo Shin Choi
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  2. Sang-Il Lee
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  3. Taek-Gu Lee
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  4. Sung-Wook Kim
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  5. Guineum Cheon
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  6. Sung-Bum Kang
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Choi, Y., Lee, SI., Lee, TG. et al. Economic Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Korea. Surg Today 37, 127–132 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-006-3356-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-006-3356-9

Key words

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Laparoscopy
  • Cost
  • Economic outcome