[Disposable versus reusable instruments in laparoscopic surgery--a controlled study].

The instruments for laparoscopic surgery are usually available in a disposable and in a reusable type. We performed a prospective, randomized study, based on the most frequent laparoscopic operation, the cholecystectomy, in order to directly quantify and compare the advantages and disadvantages of both types of instruments. 158 patients, who planned to undergo a cholecystectomy, were randomly distributed into two groups. 80 patients (group A) underwent surgery with reusable instruments and 78 patients (group B) with disposable instruments. We investigated the following parameters and compared them for both groups: length of operation, complications, conversion rate to open surgery, subjective postoperative pain, length of inability to work, technical problems during operation, postoperative hospitalization time, satisfaction of operating room personnel. The analysis of the results demonstrates no difference in the postoperative hospitalization time, in the postoperative complication rate, subjective pain sensation and postoperative inability to work. Differences in favour for the group of patients, operated with disposable instruments, were found in the conversion rate, in the length of operation and, statistically significant, in the amount of intraoperative problems, caused by instrument-technical reasons. Even if considering the greater expenses in time and personnel costs, operations with reusable instruments are in average 1015 DM cheaper.