OBJECTIVES: To identify if there are opportunity costs of two different surgery techniques [open (OP) versus laparoscopic (LAP)] for colon rectal cancer surgery under the perspective of a private hospital in Brazil. METHODS: According to the literature (King, 2006), LAP allows reduction of 32% of the length-of-stay (LOS) for patients that underwent colectomy (9 days for OP vs. 6 days for LAP). A 7% conversion during the intervention from LAP to OP was considered since this was also reported (King, 2006) and confirmed by the opinion of specialists. An analytical decision model was built under a hospital standpoint. Only direct medical costs were considered. The base-case scenario assumed a full reimbursement scheme for devices (SIMPRO, 2009). For medical fees, ICU and in-patient costs, the CBHPM 5th edition (Brazilian fee list) and the PROAHSA report were taken. Different LOS scenarios were simulated ranging from 8 days until 22 according to the literature review. A discount rate was not considered because the time horizon was shorter than one year. RESULTS: For patients that underwent OP the adoption of LAP would save from 2.6 days to 7 days. This reduction in LOS could generate cost opportunities ranging from R$80, for 2.6 days reduction to R$1270, for 7 days reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest LAP allows a faster discharge of patients that underwent colon rectal surgery providing the hospital with the opportunity to reduce the LOS and, as a consequence, streamline both the use of both hospital facilities and other medical resources.