Cost Comparison between Laparoscopic and Open Appendectomies in Children
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2013, Vol 13, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) for children has become very popular and is routinely performed in most health care centres around the world. Te cost of surgical procedures is always a concern for patients and health care providers. Tis study compares, the total cost of open appendectomy (OA) with LA in children who required an appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Suitable and safe cost-effective techniques were also explored to reduce the cost of these procedures. Methods: Te medical records of all the children (ranging between 0 and 12 years) at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman, who required OA or LA from June 2009 to July 2011, were reviewed. Results: LA were performed in 75 patients while OA were done in 34. Patients from the OA and LA groups were age- and gender-matched. Te average operative time was 76 minutes for LA and 49 minutes for OA (P <0.001) while the average hospital stay was 3.14 days for LA and 2.15 days for OA (P = 0.08). Te average cost of the two procedures was Omani riyals (OMR) 534 for LA and OMR 343 for OA (P = 0.00). Te complication rate following procedures was lower in the case of LA, however this was not statistically signifcant (LA = 8% versus OA = 11.7 %, P = 0.32). Conclusion: LA are costlier procedures than OA, however they are as safe as OA, and do not increase morbidity or the duration of hospital stay.
Authors and Affiliations
Shahzad Y. Khan| Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Zainab N. Al-Balushi| Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Khalid M. Bhatti| Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Toufque Ehsan| Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Prakash Mandhan| Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
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