Cost-efficiency and outcomes in the treatment of perforated peptic ulcer disease: Laparoscopic versus open approach

Purpose Laparoscopic treatment of perforated peptic ulcer disease (perfPUD) has demonstrated comparable operative outcomes with an open approach though the cost-efficiency of this method has not been studied. Methods Data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2007–2010). Patients who underwent operation for perfPUD were divided on the basis of laparoscopic or open approach. The primary outcome measures were hospital duration of stay, mortality, and total charges. Results A total of 5,361 patients with perfPUD were identified: 5,219 in the open group and 142 in the laparoscopic group. Patients in the laparoscopic group were younger (50.5 vs 60.0, P