Our research compares the cost and benefit of laparoscopy and open surgery in the treatment of pediatric hernia in local area from social perspective. The purpose of our study is to provide the theories for the decision-making of the health insurance department in Meishan, providing the scientific basis for the patients to choose the surgical method according to their own needs.

From January 2017 to December 2017, clinical data of 144 children aged from 1 to 3 were analyzed retrospectively. Costs include hospitalization, surgery, and other expenses. And efficacy evaluation is converted into quality- adjusted life years (QALY) gained.

The average cost of open surgery group was 3918.346 yuan, while laparoscopic group was 4764.809 yuan. The QALY was 0.345 in open surgery group and 0.380 in laparoscopic group. Compared with open surgery, the incremental cost-benefit ratio (ICER) of laparoscopic hernia treatment was 1159.738 yuan/QALY. Sensitivity analysis showed that the cost of equipment was the most influential factor in our study, followed by anesthesia and surgery costs. Criticality analysis showed that the cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E) would be equivalent between the two groups when the costs of equipment fall to 912.082 yuan.

Although laparoscopic surgery is more expensive than open surgery, it is still the preferred surgical choice for pediatric hernia because of the favorable benefits it offers.