[Cholecystectomy: the cost of surgery]

290 patients who underwent cholecystectomy with operative cholangiography were included in the study. Operating time and material cost of each operation were prospectively measured for each patient. The mean operating time was 107 min, and the median time was 100 min. Differences in operating time between surgeons were statistically significant. The shortest mean operating time was 68 min, and the longest was 136 min. The mean cost of material used was 158 francs. The lowest mean cost was 113 francs, and the highest was 174 francs. Such measures of operating time and costs for usual and standardized operations are possible. They should be used to establish a more objective fee system for operations inside a surgical specialty, and between different specialties.