Intraoperative supply costs and resource utilization in laser interstitial thermal therapy versus open resection for brain tumors

We compared recorded intraoperative supply costs and their composition in laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and open resection for brain tumors, using an impact score to express each category as a share of total supply cost. Time-based staff cost estimation was secondary. This retrospective single-surgeon study included 32 LITT and 42 open procedures after description-based meningioma exclusion. Matching on age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) yielded 25 pairs. Supply costs, impact scores, recorded durations, and hospital stay were summarized, and missing-device-cost scenarios were examined. Mean supply cost was $14,114 for LITT and $8,443 for open resection (difference +$5,672; p < 0.001). The LITT/laser category averaged $11,965 per case (mean impact score 80.5%; SD $5,329; range $1,249–$16,468). Open costs were distributed across several categories. Mean recorded OR time was 231.6 versus 202.8 min, and hospital stay was 31.7 versus 228.0 h ( p < 0.001). Age and CCI remained above the prespecified absolute standardized mean difference threshold of 0.10 after matching. Recorded LITT supply cost was concentrated in the laser category. This intraoperative economic comparison does not assess clinical superiority. Nonrandom treatment selection, missing tumor characteristics and clinical outcomes, and incomplete resource capture preclude conclusions about comparative value or total episode savings.