Cost disparity between open repair and endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm: a single-institute experience in Japan.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We conducted this study to compare the cost of open surgical repair (OR) with that of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Between January 2007 and November 2008, 70 patients underwent open repair and 57 patients underwent EVAR. We evaluated the total cost, including that of the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC), that of the surgical procedure, that of materials such as grafts and guide wires, and that of the anesthesia. RESULTS: The mean costs for OR versus EVAR were as follows DPC, ¥632,370 versus ¥490,050, respectively, which was significant; anesthesia, ¥123,540 versus ¥86,220, respectively (P < 0.05); and materials, ¥257,770 versus ¥2,113,280, respectively (P < 0.05). Thus, the mean total cost was ¥1,825,830 versus ¥3,159,270 for open repair and EVAR, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: New technologies should not only be clinically effective, but also cost effective. EVAR is less invasive clinically, but the cost of endovascular prostheses and other materials remains high.