The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic effects of repackaging disposable laparoscopic
surgical instruments. We repacked a total of 28 disposable instruments for gynecologic laparoscopic
surgery into one package. The time of preparation of surgical instruments, the amount
of medical waste, and other economic effects were compared before and after the repackaging of
disposable instruments.
The time required for the preparation of surgical instruments was shortened by 22 minutes per
operation, and medical waste decreased by 400 g, by repackaging the instruments, resulting in an
estimated direct economic saving of $10,000 per year. Indirect economic effects might include savings
due to a reduced inventory of surgical instruments and simplified cost-accounting for each operation.
It is likely that preparation for surgery can be significantly improved and the cost reduced by
repackaging the laparoscopic surgical instruments.
