BACKGROUND:

METHODS:

Inpatients who underwent LA or OA for appendicitis during the period 2001-2008 were identified from claims data obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance program. Costs and LOS were evaluated by multiple linear regression models for various subpopulations stratified according to age, number of comorbidities, and severity of appendicitis.

RESULTS:

Between 2001 and 2008, 22,252 patients (13.3%) underwent LA and 14,4438 (86.7%) had OA. Age, comorbidity, and severity of appendicitis were determinants of costs and LOS for both LA and OA. Although the costs and LOS for appendectomy increased with age and number of comorbidities, a sharper increase was noted for OA patients. Laparoscopic appendectomy mildly decreased LOS at the expense of significantly higher costs for young patients, those without comorbidities, and patients with uncomplicated appendicitis. In contrast, compared with OA, LA was associated with comparable costs and reduced LOS for the elderly, patients with comorbidities, and those with complicated appendicitis. In addition, hospital mortality and readmission rates for postoperative complications did not differ significantly between LA and OA.

CONCLUSION:

Considering costs and LOS, patients older than 65 years, patients with comorbidities, and patients with complicated appendicitis benefit more from the laparoscopic approach for the treatment of appendicitis.