COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY COMPARED WITH OPEN CHOLECYSTECTOMY AT A PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN MYANMAR

Abstract

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the main treatment of uncomplicated gallstone diseases in developed countries due to shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time and other benefits. However, it is still controversial for developing countries. This study aims to evaluate whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more cost-effective than open cholecystectomy (OC) in the treatment of gallstone diseases in Myanmar. A cost-effectiveness analysis was evaluated from the provider perspective. The required cost and outcome data were obtained from a private hospital which is located in Yangon, Myanmar. Two outcomes are used as effectiveness in this study, namely cases of complications avoided and cases with shorter hospital stay. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to check the robustness of the result. In conclusion, LC is found to be more cost-effective than OC in the hospital of Myanmar. According to the result of this study, the hospitals in Myanmar should strongly consider to do further study and apply laparoscopic technique in the treatment of gallstone diseases.