Comparison of cost effectiveness between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (vats) and open lobectomy: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Lung cancer is highly prevalent in Chinese population. The association of operative approach with economic burden these patients remains unknown. Objectives This institution-level cohort study aimed to compare the cost-related clinical outcomes and health care costs among undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) open lobectomy, investigate factors associated costs. Methods retrospective included who underwent VATS or lobectomy a provincial referral center China 2018. Propensity score matching (PSM) method was applied balance baseline characteristics group. Clinical effectiveness measures post-operative blood transfusion, lung infection, length stay (LOS). Hospitalization were extracted from hospital information system assess burden. Multivariable generalized linear model (GLM) gamma probability distribution log-link used analyze total Results After PSM, 376 selected analytic sample. Compared group, group had lower transfusion rate (2.13% vs. 3.19%, P = 0.75), infection (21.28% 39.89%, < 0.001) shorter LOS (9.4 ± 3.22 days 10.86 4.69 days, 0.001). Total hospitalization similar: Renminbi (RMB) 84398.03 13616.13, RMB 81,964.92 16748.11, respectively (P 0.12). non-surgery significantly than group: 41948.40 7747.54 45752.36 10346.42 approach, longer stay, insurance coverage, diagnosis higher 0.05). Conclusions has rate, lobectomy. Future studies are needed other aspects societal perspective.