Background: The proposed benefits of laparoscopic splenectomy(LS) such as decreased postoperative pain and hospitalization haveto be balanced against the proposed deficits of increased costs, especiallyin developing countries such as China. Herein we proposeeconomical strategies of LS based on our single-center experience.Patients and Methods: We have reviewed our data of patients undergoingLS or open splenectomy (OS) between August 1998 andAugust 2006 at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University in China toevaluate factors reducing operative time, blood loss, complicationrate, postoperative hospitalization, presence of accessory spleens,platelet consumption, hospital costs, and total costs. Results: Theblood loss, complication rate and presence of accessory spleenwere comparable in both groups (p > 0.05). Although it was associatedwith significantly longer operative time (161.25 vs. 71.07 min, p< 0.01), LS carried lower postoperative hospitalization (5.6 vs. 10.5days) and platelet transfusion (2.46 vs. 11.03 IU). The mean chargesof blood products in the LS group and in the OS group were calculatedas USD 33.26 and USD 136.86, respectively (p < 0.01). Thosefor the ward amounted to USD 250.00 and USD 433.33 in the LSgroup and in the OS group, respectively (p < 0.05). The meancharges of operating room were USD 588.00 for LS and USD 235.33for OS (p < 0.01), but the total charges for patients with LS werecomparable to those of OS patients (USD 871.20 vs. USD 783.20, p> 0.05). Conclusions: We have decreased the total charges of LS sothat they were comparable to those of OS by the use of reusable ultrasonicshear, suture silk, titanium clips and sterile wrapping of disposablesurgical items instead of Endo-stapler and commercial retrieverbag. The patients obtained the minimal invasive benefits atno significant additional costs which might contribute to an increasedpropagation of laparoscopic techniques in developingcountries such as China.