Original scientific articleLaparoscopic Reoperative Antireflux Surgery Is More Cost-Effective than Open Approach

BackgroundWe previously reported on the outcomes of laparoscopic and open reoperative antireflux surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the costs of these procedures.Study DesignWe performed a retrospective review. Financial and procedure coding data were obtained using a cost accounting system. There were 49 procedures in 46 patients (36 female and 10 male). There were 38 laparoscopic (including 4 conversions) and 11 open procedures (7 transabdominal repairs and 4 gastric-preserving Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy). Values are median and interquartile range (IQR) and mean costs.ResultsMedian age was 54 years (IQR 49 to 67 years) for the laparoscopic group vs 56 years (IQR 50 to 65 years) for the open group (p = 0.675). Mean direct costs per case for the laparoscopic group vs open group were $12,655 vs $24,636 (p < 0.002); operating room costs: $3,788 vs $5,547 (p = 0.011); hospital room costs: $1,948 vs $6,438 (p < 0.005); and supply costs: $4,386 vs $5,386 (p = 0.077). Median duration of the operation for the laparoscopic group was 185 minutes (IQR 147 to 254 minutes) vs 308 minutes (IQR 259 to 416 minutes) for the open group (p < 0.002). Median length of stay for the laparoscopic group was 3 days (IQR 2 to 4 days) vs 9 days (IQR 8 to 14 days) for the open group (p < 0.001). There was no 30-day or in-hospital mortality. Excluding the 4 Roux-en-Y procedures, direct costs for the laparoscopic group (n = 38) were $12,655 vs $23,678 for the transabdominal group (n = 7) (p = 0.035); duration of operation: 185 minutes (IQR 147 to 254 minutes) vs 292 minutes (IQR 218 to 309 minutes) (p = 0.003); and length of stay: 3 days (IQR 2 to 4 days) vs 9 days (IQR 7 to 15 days) (p = 0.017). There were 3 recurrences in the laparoscopic group. Two were repaired laparoscopically and 1 required a gastric-preserving Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy because the patient had undergone 2 earlier failed repairs. Including the cumulative costs of 3 recurrent hiatal hernia repairs, the driving force to reduce costs remained length of stay, manifested by the costs of the hospital rooms.ConclusionsLaparoscopic reoperative antireflux surgery is more cost-effective than open repair. The laparoscopic approach, when feasible, should be considered the surgical option for treatment of recurrent hiatal hernia in specialized esophageal centers with highly experienced surgical teams.