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 5 Overview of costs with employed patients only (in euro).

	Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 120)	Small-incision cholecystectomy (n = 137)	Difference in costs (per patient)	significance
60 and older	26	26
Employed (male/female)	50	51
Unemployed/unknown	44	60
Employed	n = 50	n = 51
Direct	(37.7%)	(38.4%)
	104003	96454
(per patient)	2080	1891	189	P = 0.055
Indirect	(62.3%)	(61.6%)
	172005	155024
(per patient)	3440	3040	400	P = 0.315
- Average period before return to work (in weeks (SD)):	4.2 (2.3)	3.7 (2.0)		P = 0.298
Total	276008	251477
(per patient)	5520	4931	589	P = 0.179

Total indirect costs: 327029 euro (n = 101)
Average period before return to work: 4.0 (SD: 2.2) weeks
Average indirect costs per patient per week: 820 euro
Negative differences in costs favour the laparoscopic procedure and positive differences in costs favour the small-incision technique.

ISSN: 1745-6215