You are seeing this message because your Web browser does not support basic Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing and what you can do to make your experience on this site better.


ABOUT ARCHIVES
Advanced Search

Welcome   | My Account | E-mail Alerts | Access Rights | Sign In


  Vol. 125 No. 6, June 1990 TABLE OF CONTENTS
  Archives
  •  Online Features
  ARTICLE
 This Article
 •Send to a friend
 • Save in My Folder
 •Save to citation manager
 •Permissions
 Citing Articles
 •Contact me when this article is cited
 Related Content
 •Similar articles in this journal

Gallstone lithotripsy vs cholecystectomy. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis

J. G. Rothschild, R. F. Holbrook and R. B. Reinhold
New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass.

From July 1988 to January 1989, we compared the course of 48 patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy with that of 18 undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for symptomatic cholelithiasis with respect to treatment, hospitalization, recovery, and cost. For elective cholecystectomy, average length of surgery was 76 minutes (range, 31 to 186 minutes); average length of stay was 4 days; total cost was $6240; morbidity was 10%; and return to work averaged 5 weeks. Average extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment length was 136 minutes (80 to 158 minutes); average length of stay was 2 days; total cost was $5921; and hematuria and petechiae were seen in 33% and 28%, respectively. Re-treatment cost was $4880. All of these patients were active in 24 hours; return to work averaged 3 days. As results of the Food and Drug Administration study are still pending, recurrence and re-treatment rates are unknown. We conclude that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is less costly, initially, with further reductions probable when performed on an outpatient basis. Though re-treatment may be required, return to normal activity is dramatically shortened.





HOME | CURRENT ISSUE | PAST ISSUES | TOPIC COLLECTIONS | CME | SUBMIT | SUBSCRIBE | HELP
CONDITIONS OF USE | PRIVACY POLICY | CONTACT US | SITE MAP
 
© 1990 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.