Cost of laparosopic and open cholecystectomy in a general hospital from the point of view of health care budgeting

Background-Aim Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the method of choice in treatment of gallstone disease. Comparative costs of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy remain unclear. The main benefits of laparoscopic surgery include the period of short recovery, fewer days off work, less post-operative pain and better aesthetic outcome. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost and effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus classical open cholecystectomy from the payers’ perspective.