A COST-EFFECTIVENESS COMPARISON OF THE OPEN AND LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMIES FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Authors : Amita BHADAURİA, Amogh BHATNAGAR

Pages : 151-161

Doi:10.23884/ijhsrp.2019.4.3.01

View : 21 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2019-12-13

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives : Laparoscopic appendectomy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LA); is preferred to open appendectomy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(OA);, as it is less invasive. However, it is debatable whether LA is more cost-effective. We compared the cost-benefits of LA with OA, using the entire pediatric inpatient hospital data in USA. Methods : The Kids` Inpatient Database insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(KID); shows that 51,007 pediatric patients were subjected to laparoscopic appendectomy and 12,668 to open appendectomy during 2010-12 across the USA. This dataset was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of LA and OA, while controlling for the demographic characteristics of patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(e.g. age and gender);, their background insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(e.g., place of residence);, and complexity of surgery insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(e.g., number of procedures);.   Results: We found that patients with laparoscopic surgery saved ~0.46 days of hospital stay, but paid $3641 more compared to patients with open surgery. Conclusions : Surgeons prefer to use the technologically advanced laparoscopic appendectomy  insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(80% of patients);. Our analysis shows that the cost-benefit of laparoscopic appendectomy is marginal.  Hence, for making a fully informed decision, patients should be provided with both clinical and cost comparison data.
Keywords : open appendectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, pediatric patient, economic cost, regression, cross sectional analysis