Merel Kimman

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Merel Kimman is a health economist and outcomes researcher whose work centers on the economic evaluation of surgical interventions, with a particular focus on pediatric care and resource allocation in hospital settings. Her most cited study, a cost analysis of four surgical techniques for pediatric inguinal hernia repair in a Dutch hospital, provides critical evidence for value-based decision-making in surgery. The paper demonstrates that percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) is the most cost-effective approach, while robot-assisted hernia repair incurs the highest costs—primarily due to prolonged anesthesia time from robotic system docking. Kimman’s research also highlights that non-operating room costs are significantly driven by patient characteristics, underscoring the importance of individualized cost modeling. Though early in her citation impact, her work has immediate relevance for surgical teams and hospital administrators seeking to balance clinical outcomes with financial sustainability. By quantifying cost drivers across techniques, Kimman equips clinicians and policymakers with actionable data to optimize resource use without compromising pediatric surgical quality.