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

Participation in this research study does not involve any procedures. Health preference will be ascertained through standard techniques including time-tradeoff, standard gamble, and rating scale to assess risks regarding potential complications specific to NOTES (Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery)gallbladder removal.

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.