Cost analysis of brachial plexus injuries: variability of compensation by insurance companies before and after surgery.

Traumatic paralysis of the brachial plexus is an extremely disabling pathology. The type of trauma most frequently suffered by this group of patients is due to motorcycle injuries. It therefore affects a population of young patients. In the majority of cases, these patients receive compensation for permanent damage from insurance companies. Surgery of the brachial plexus enables various forms of functional recovery, depending on the number of roots of the brachial plexus involved in the injury. The aim of this study is to compare the functional deficit and the extent of the related compensation before and after surgical intervention, and to evaluate the saving in economic terms (understood as the cost of compensation paid by insurance companies) obtainable through surgical intervention. The authors analysed the functional recovery obtained through surgery in 134 patients divided into 4 groups on the basis of the number of injured roots. The levels of compensation payable to the patient before surgical intervention, and 3 years after, were then compared. The results showed that the saving obtainable through surgical treatment of brachial plexus injuries may exceed 65% of the economic value of the compensation that would have been attributable to the same patients if they had not undergone surgical treatment.

[Comparison between external radiotherapy and laser microsurgery for the treatment of TisT1N0 glottic carcinoma: Clinical modelling and cost-minimization study from the French national health insurance payer's point of view]. / Place de l'analyse médico-économique dans la décision thérapeutique en cancérologie ORL. L'exemple du cancer limité de la corde vocale (Tis, Tla). Comparaison entre la radiothérapie externe et l'exérèse laryngoscopique laser CO2. Création d'un modèle clinique et étude de minimisation de coûts suivant la perspective de l'Assurance Maladie.

OBJECTIVES: The excellent effectiveness of both treatment modalities (radiotherapy, endoscopic laser surgery) for early glottic carcinoma (Tis, TlaN0) is similar (carcinologic, functional and QoL results). This is part of an evidence-based medicine policy, which is to choose the cheapest of various treatment modalities known as equally effective and equally morbid. Is analytical economic approach useful and efficient to guide decision making? The aim of this study is to perform a costminimization analysis using an objective clinical modeling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For each modality, probabilities of various events were recorded from review of literature. Only local recurrences which constitute the major end-point affecting survival were considered. French national Health insurance's point of view (as the payer's point of view), with a 100% case-mix based payment system was used. Results of cost-minimization between laser endoscopic surgery and external radiation therapy are: Global Cost of laser endoscopic surgery is about 2613.01 euro. Without (90% of cases) and with recurrence it is about 1700.36 euro and 10826.87 euro respectively. Global Cost of external radiation therapy is about 4490.88 euro. Without (90% of cases) and with recurrence it is about 3578.23 euro and 12704.74 euro respectively. CONCLUSION: Cordectomy by CO2 laser seems to be an efficient cost-effective alternative to radiotherapy for early glottic carcinoma management from the French national Health insurance perspective.

Evaluación comparativa de efectividad y costo/efectividad en terapias alternativas para algunas lesiones vasculares encefálicas: experiencia del autor y revisión de la literatura / Comparative assessment of effectiveness and cost/effectiveness in alternative therapies to vascular encephalic lesions: author experience and review

Las patologías vasculares encefálicas quirúrgicas (aneurismas, malformaciones arterio venosas) han experimentado uno de los avances más importantes dentro de la medicina en las últimas décadas en materias de diagnóstico y tratamiento. Técnicas de introducción relativamente reciente y contemporánea, como la micro neurocirugía, la terapia endovascular encefálica y la radiocirugía, lograron mejorar en magnitudes las posibilidades de diagnóstico y los resultados de los tratamiento en estas lesiones. En este contexto parece de suma importancia definir el rol que juega cada uno de estos tratamientos en el manejo de la patología; así como la participación de los profesionales involucrados en la toma de decisiones muchas veces complejas y no exentas de controversia. El análisis de los resultados clínicos, la efectividad y la relación costo/efectividad son fundamentales para tener claridad en nuestro enfrentamiento como neurocirujanos tratantes. Este análisis debe interpretar la experiencia internacional en estas materias y a la vez revisar la experiencia local, hecho de suma importancia, que muchas veces dejamos rezagado en nuestro medio. Este estudio revisa los tópicos mencionados, incluyendo la experiencia del autor y un análisis exhaustivo de la bibliografía universal. Los resultados y las conclusiones podrán servir como herramienta a la hora de buscar referentes locales y foráneos que avalen con solidez nuestras conductas diagnósticas y terapéuticas.

Surgical vascular brain diseases (aneurysms, arterio venous malformations) have experienced one of the most important advances in medicine in the last decades related, to diagnosis and treatment. Recently and contemporary developed techniques, like micro neurosurgery, endovascular therapy and radiosurgery, have remarkably improved the diagnostic possibilities and the treatment outcomes in this lesions. In this context, it seems to be of the most importance to define the part that each treatment plays in the management of these diseases; and the participation of the professionals linked to the decision making in issues frequently complex and controversial. The analysis of clinical outcomes, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratio are basic to be clear in our approaches like neurosurgeons. This article reviews the international literature in these topics and, at the same time, the local experience, a fact of enormous importance that we use to left behind. The previously mentioned issues are reviewed, including the author's own experience and an exhaustive bibliographic analysis. Some of the results and conclusions included article should be useful tools when searching for local and foreign references to endorse with strength our diagnostic and therapeutic behaviour.

Office microlaparoscopy under local anesthesia.

Office laparoscopy under local anesthesia is especially suited to meet the current pressures of quality versus cost in an era of managed care. It is likely that this technique will soon become a major part of the practicing gynecologist's diagnostic operative armamentarium. Advantages of office microlaparoscopy under local anesthesia are realized by the practitioner, the patient, and the managed care provider. Office microlaparoscopy under local anesthesia is a safe, effective, and less costly tool for the evaluation of patients with many different indications. To date, the procedure has been primarily used for patients with infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and tubal ligation. The ease of scheduling, reduced costs, and rapid recovery suggest that it may be the preferred initial procedure for these patients.