[Cholecystectomy with microlaparotomy and innovation of the ROMICRO R-set]

Gallstone disease is a major health problem, 10-15% of the adult population of Hungary are afflicted, and each year about 20,000 cholecystectomies are undertaken. There are two essential and widely accepted methods for the removal of gallbladder: conventional open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Since 1988 the authors worked on a new surgical technique and equipment (ROMICRO R-set) for cholecystectomy using a single 2-4 cm microlaparotomy inside the infrasternal triangle. They demonstrate the innovation's phases of this new technique and ROMICRO R-set. Till 1999 more than 7000 microlaparotomy cholecystectomy were undertaken in Hungary. The benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be achieved with less expense and risk by microlaparotomy cholecystectomy. Most patients are often not willing to accept conventional open cholecystectomy, but the microlaparotomy cholecystectomy alternative is unknown to the public and to most physicians. All countries have experienced a fast growth in their health care expenses over the last decades which will continue in the future. But spending an ever larger share of our nation's resources on health care cannot be afforded. As a consequence, making choices will became more and more unavoidable, also in galltree surgery. Therefore economic evaluation compares the different techniques of cholecystectomy necessary not only in terms on surgical and on patients aspect, but also in term of costs.