Cost Comparison between Laparoscopic and Open Appendectomies in Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Surgical outcomes
• Health economics

Background:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is a popular procedure for acute appendicitis in children.
• The cost-effectiveness of surgical interventions is a significant consideration for healthcare providers and patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the total costs of open appendectomy (OA) versus LA in pediatric patients.
• To explore cost-effective strategies for pediatric appendectomy procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for children aged 0-12 years undergoing OA or LA.
• Comparison of operative time, hospital stay, cost, and complication rates between the two groups.

Main Results:

• LA procedures were performed on 75 patients, while OA was performed on 34.
• Average operative time was longer for LA (76 min) than OA (49 min).
• Average cost was higher for LA (OMR 534) compared to OA (OMR 343), with lower complication rates for LA (8% vs 11.7%).

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy is more costly than open appendectomy in children.
• LA is as safe as OA, with no significant increase in morbidity or hospital stay.
• Further research into cost-reduction techniques for LA is warranted.