Comparative financial analysis of laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection performed in 1990-1992 v 1993-1994

In 1994, it was reported that laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (L-PLND) was US $1350 more expensive than open pelvic lymph node dissection (O-PLND) for the staging of prostate cancer. Despite the lower postoperative expenses associated with L-PLND, the intraoperative expenditures were 52% higher, primarily because of the prolonged operating time and the cost of disposable instrumentation. The objective of the present study was to determine if, with increasing laparoscopic experience and a more competitive surgical supply market, the intraoperative as well as the overall hospital expenses would diminish. The study population consisted of 105 men who underwent staging L-PLND for cancer of the prostate. Group I was composed of 50 patients who underwent surgery between 1990 and 1992, and Group II consisted of 55 patients operated on in 1993 and 1994. All hospital-related expenses were reorganized into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative and subsequently corrected for inflationary changes to a base year of 1993-1994. The total overall expenses of the two groups were similar, differing by only $65. Despite a lowering of preoperative and postoperative expenses in the 1993-1994 group by 112% and 31%, respectively, the intraoperative expenses were still $571 higher. The operative time decreased by 19 minutes in the contemporary group, but the expense of surgical supplies continued to increase up to $910 (104%) more than the 1990-1992 group. It is hoped that the use of "laparoscopic kits" as well hospital equipment consortiums will help slow the escalating costs of surgical care. However, it is the responsibility of the laparoscopic surgeon to demonstrate that these procedures are as safe, efficient, and cost-effective as their open counterpart.