[Laparoscopic interventions in gastroesophageal reflux--a cost-benefit analysis]

On the basis of a cost analysis of conservative and surgical therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease in 70 patients health economic aspects are discussed. In a prospective documented series of reflux patients a retrolective analysis of medication cost and duration of conservative therapy is performed. In addition, the costs for surgical therapy including preoperative diagnostic workup, cost during hospitalization as well as costs for complications with necessary additional treatment and readmissions are assessed. For the conservative treatment of 70 reflux patients a total of more than DM < 700,000 had to be spent during preoperative 5 years. A major part of this sum was spent for patients who needed to increase the initial 20 mg dosage of Omeprazol within 5 years. A mean of approximately DM 2,000 per patient was spent for conservative treatment. Surgical treatment without complications was calculated with DM 5,425 per case. However, in 7 patients complications occurred causing prolonged or even rehospitalization with necessary further treatment summing up to about DM 486,000 for surgical therapy in 70 patients including complications. Cost relevant factors are therefore in conservative treatment patients who need increasing dosages, while, in surgical treatment, the cost relevant patients are those with complications and necessary additional treatment.