Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Cholecystectomy, Projected Long Term Outcomes and Complications Evaluation (NOTES)

• Compare cost effectiveness data at one year postoperative [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  One year cost effectiveness data comparing transgastric cholecystectomy, transvaginal cholecystectomy, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Costs from two national databases: the State Ambulatory Surgery Database (SASD) and the NIS. The main outcome measure for this study will be cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY). Markov modeling techniques for model patient experiences for each of the procedures analyzed. Monte Carlo simulation will be used to calculate cost per QALY over a one year time span with determination of the incremental cost effectiveness ratio.
  
  

• Analyze the important factor that contributes to cost effectiveness at one year post operative. [ Time Frame: One year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Extensive sensitivity analyses of how individual factors (e.g. probability of gastric leak in transgastric cholecystectomy) impact cost effectiveness. Factors are varied over a clinically plausible range and their impact on cost effectiveness determined. One way and two way sensitivity analyses allow alterations of one or two factors simultaneously. Multiway sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulation will be used to vary several variables simultaneously and to determine impact on cost effectiveness.
  
  

The enticement of scarless surgery has created an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm and collaboration amongst surgeons, gastroenterologists, industry, and the lay public. However, major hurdles remain between current minimally invasive practices and the ultimate goal of safe, effective Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES). In an ideal world, these procedures should incur equivalent (or less) morbidity than current laparoscopic approaches and offer benefits of incisionless surgery. This idealism has been quickly tempered by the potential to create new and devastating complications with only minimal potential benefit to the patient. Several critical questions need to be answered. What probability of complication(s) are to be accepted? How will the potential benefits of NOTES be weighed against these new complications? What factors unique to NOTES will contribute to its cost effectiveness? The proposed study seeks to answer these questions before they occur. These results will give clinicians and investigators the necessary information with which to compare outcomes of NOTES and potentially alter techniques for safer, more effective interventions.