Clinical + Economic Outcomes - Colectomy

Colectomy Clinical Outcomes

Compared to the traditional "open" procedure, the minimally invasive approach for colectomy offers:

• Less pain and scarring
• Shorter hospital stay – reduced length of stay by a range of 0.4 to 7.1 days²⁰
• Lower rate of postoperative infections and complications⁴⁸
• Quicker return to work – time before returning to work reduced by a range of 5 to 26 days²⁰
• Shorter recovery time – time before returning to normal activities reduced by a range of 28 to 44 days²⁰
• Lower healthcare expenditures – savings between $438 and $8,286 in hospital costs²⁰

Traditional colon surgery requires a long incision, leaving a noticeable scar. A laparoscopic colectomy requires several small incisions, which result in less conspicuous scars.

Economic Data

When compared to an "open" colon surgery, laparoscopic colectomy reduces costs by an average of $5,000-$15,000.^20,48 Additionally, there is a 5.93% complication rate compared to 8.56% for a traditional "open" colectomy.⁴⁸ This reduces costs associated with complications. There is also a lower rate of postoperative infections with a laparoscopic colectomy, which may also contribute to a cost savings.⁴⁸