Cost-minimization analysis in a blind randomized trial on small-incision versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy from a societal perspective: sick leave outweighs efforts in hospital savings

Table 4 Overview of costs with all patients included and without one extreme value in each group (in euro).

	Laparoscopic cholecystectomy	Small-incision cholecystectomy	Difference in costs (per patient)	significance
All patients included (intention-to-treat)	(n = 120)	(n = 137)
Direct costs	305760	452654
(per patient)
- Outpatients clinic related	2548	3304	-756	P = 0,006*
(per patient)
- Operation theatre related
(per patient)
- Admittance related	54293	62627
(per patient)	452	457	-5	P = 0.640
- Complications related
Indirect costs	133406	123404
(per patient)	1112	901	211	P < 0.001*
Total costs	67972	81707
(per patient)
	566	596	-30	P = 0.342
	50089	184917
	(n = 50)	(n = 51)
	172005	155024
	3440	3040	400	P = 0.315
	477765	607678
	3981	4436	-454	P = 0.737
Without one outlier in each group	(n = 119)	(n = 136)
Direct	272584	282683
(per patient)	2291	2079	212	P = 0.006*
- Outpatient clinic related	53980	62273
(per patient)	454	458	-4	P = 0.669
- Operation theatre related	130796	121856	203	P < 0.001*
(per patient)	1099	896
- Admittance related	67421	81131
(per patient)	567	597	-30	P = 0.346
- Complications related	20388	17423
Indirect	(n = 50)	(n = 51)
	172005	155024
(per patient)	3440	3040	400	P = 0.315
Total costs	444589	437706
(per patient)	3736	3218	518	P = 0.034*

* significant difference
Negative differences in costs favour the laparoscopic procedure and positive differences in costs favour the small-incision technique.

ISSN: 1745-6215