H S Ho1, K A Mathiesen, B M Wolfe. 1. Department of Surgery, Davis Medical Center, University of California, 4301 X Street, Sacramento, CA 95817-2214, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There has been a debate about the cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), as well as a concern regarding its possible overutilization and changes in the indication for surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all cholecystectomies performed at UCDMC from 1988 to 1994 was done. The annual rate of cholecystectomy increased by 50% in 1990 when LC was introduced but has since stabilized at a rate 11% higher than the rate before LC. The disease status and severity did not change. RESULTS: The incidence of nonelective surgery remained stable at 31.2% to 37.5%. Elective cholecystectomy had lower mortality (0.16% vs 1.8%, P = 0. 029), morbidity (2.6% vs 11.2%, P = 0.0001), and conversion rate (2. 6% vs 16%, P = 0.0001) and a shorter length of stay (2.1 days vs 5.4 days), compared with nonelective procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The indication for surgery in cholelithiasis has not changed since the introduction of LC. In patients with symptomatic gallstones, early elective surgery is recommended and may be more cost-effective.
BACKGROUND: There has been a debate about the cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), as well as a concern regarding its possible overutilization and changes in the indication for surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all cholecystectomies performed at UCDMC from 1988 to 1994 was done. The annual rate of cholecystectomy increased by 50% in 1990 when LC was introduced but has since stabilized at a rate 11% higher than the rate before LC. The disease status and severity did not change. RESULTS: The incidence of nonelective surgery remained stable at 31.2% to 37.5%. Elective cholecystectomy had lower mortality (0.16% vs 1.8%, P = 0. 029), morbidity (2.6% vs 11.2%, P = 0.0001), and conversion rate (2. 6% vs 16%, P = 0.0001) and a shorter length of stay (2.1 days vs 5.4 days), compared with nonelective procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The indication for surgery in cholelithiasis has not changed since the introduction of LC. In patients with symptomatic gallstones, early elective surgery is recommended and may be more cost-effective.
Authors: K D Saunders-Kirkwood; B Aizen; J E Thompson; M J Zinner; J A Cates; R Bennion; J Gill; F Boudi; J J Roslyn Journal: Ann Surg Date: 1992-04 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: Abhishek D Parmar; Mark D Coutin; Gabriela M Vargas; Nina P Tamirisa; Kristin M Sheffield; Taylor S Riall Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2014-06-12 Impact factor: 3.452