From morbidity reduction to cost-effectiveness: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) society recommendations in minimal invasive liver surgery.

PURPOSE: Minimal-invasive liver surgery (MILS) reduces surgical trauma and is associated with fewer postoperative complications. To amplify these benefits, perioperative multimodal concepts like Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS), can play a crucial role. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness for MILS in an ERAS program, considering the necessary additional workforce and associated expenses. METHODS: A prospective observational study comparing surgical approach in patients within an ERAS program compared to standard care from 2018-2022 at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Cost data were provided by the medical controlling office. ERAS items were applied according to the ERAS society recommendations. RESULTS: 537 patients underwent liver surgery (46% laparoscopic, 26% robotic assisted, 28% open surgery) and 487 were managed by the ERAS protocol. Implementation of ERAS reduced overall postoperative complications in the MILS group (18% vs. 32%, p = 0.048). Complications greater than Clavien-Dindo grade II incurred the highest costs (€ 31,093) compared to minor (€ 17,510) and no complications (€13,893; p < 0.001). In the event of major complications, profit margins were reduced by a median of € 6,640. CONCLUSIONS: Embracing the ERAS society recommendations in liver surgery leads to a significant reduction of complications. This outcome justifies the higher cost associated with a well-structured ERAS protocol, as it effectively offsets the expenses of complications.

Prophylactic anticoagulation after minimally invasive hysterectomy for endometrial cancer: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine our institutional rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer and to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of extended prophylactic anticoagulation after minimally invasive staging surgery for endometrial cancer. METHODS: All patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer who underwent minimally invasive staging surgery from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were identified retrospectively, and clinicopathologic and outcome data were obtained through chart review. Event probabilities and utility decrements were obtained through published clinical data and literature review. A decision model was created to compare 28 days of no post-operative pharmacologic prophylaxis, prophylactic enoxaparin, and prophylactic apixaban. Outcomes included no complications, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, clinically relevant non-major bleeding, and major bleeding. We assumed a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. RESULTS: Three of 844 patients (0.36%) had a VTE following minimally invasive staging surgery for endometrial cancer. In this model, no pharmacologic prophylaxis was less costly and more effective than prophylactic apixaban and prophylactic enoxaparin over all parameters examined. When all patients were assigned prophylaxis, prophylactic apixaban was both less costly and more effective than prophylactic enoxaparin. If the risk of DVT was ≥4.8%, prophylactic apixaban was favored over no pharmacologic prophylaxis. On Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis for the base case scenario, no pharmacologic prophylaxis was favored in 41.1% of iterations at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS: In this cost-effectiveness model, no extended pharmacologic anticoagulation was superior to extended prophylactic enoxaparin and apixaban in clinically early-stage endometrial cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery. This model supports use of prophylactic apixaban for 7 days post-operatively in select patients when the risk of DVT is 4.8% or higher.

Financial analysis of minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy compared with native tissue vaginal repair with concomitant hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISCP) is increasingly used for uterovaginal prolapse, but comparative cost data of MISCP versus native tissue vaginal repair (NTR) are lacking. The objective was to determine the cost difference, from a hospital perspective, between MISCP and NTR performed with hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center of women who underwent NTR or MISCP with concomitant hysterectomy in 2021. Hospital charges, direct and indirect costs, and operating margin (revenue minus costs) were obtained from Strata Jazz and compared using SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 82 women were included, 33 MISCP (25 robotic, 8 laparoscopic) versus 49 NTR. Demographic and surgical data were similar, except that MISCP had younger age (50.5 vs 61.1 years, p<0.01). Same-day discharge and estimated blood loss were similar, but operative time was longer for MISCP (204 vs 161 min, p<0.01). MISCP total costs were higher (US$17,422 vs US$13,001, p<0.01). MISCP had higher direct costs (US$12,354 vs US$9,305, p<0.01) and indirect costs (US$5,068 vs US$3,696, p<0.01). Consumable supply costs were higher with MISCP (US$4,429 vs US$2,089, p<0.01), but the cost of operating room time and staff was similar (US$7,926 vs US$7,216, p=0.07). Controlling for same-day discharge, anti-incontinence procedures and smoking, total costs were higher for MISCP (adjusted beta = US$4,262, p<0.01). Mean charges (US$102,060 vs US$97,185, p=0.379), revenue (US$22,214 vs US$22,491, p=0.929), and operating margin (US$8,719 vs US$3,966, p=0.134) were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy had higher costs than NTR; however, charges, reimbursement, and operating margins were not statistically significantly different between the groups.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a resource-intensive approach versus minimally invasive strategy for high-risk transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients.

Aortic stenosis has a high mortality rate in patients who do not receive aortic valve replacement. Previously, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was an intervention reserved for individuals deemed high-risk for surgery. Since that time, TAVR has increasingly been offered to lower risk patients, yet it is unclear whether TAVR will meet an acceptable cost-effectiveness threshold in this group. In this cost-effectiveness study, we employed a decision tree model with Monte Carlo probability sensitivity analysis to determine the incremental cost (in US$) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and life year (LY) of performing the TAVR procedure using the resource-intensive approach versus the minimally invasive strategy in high-risk surgical patients.

Drivers of Cost Associated With Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: In this era of value-based healthcare, costs must be measured alongside patient outcomes to prioritize quality improvement and inform performance-based reimbursement strategies. We sought to identify drivers of costs for patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer from December 2008 to March 2020 were included. Our institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database was merged with financial data to determine inpatient direct accounting costs in 2020 US dollars for total, operative (surgery and anesthesia), and postoperative (intensive care, floor, radiology, laboratory, etc) services. A supervised machine learning quantitative method, the lasso estimator with 10-fold cross-validation, was applied to identify predictors of costs. RESULTS: In the study cohort (n = 240) most had ≥cT2 pathology (82%), adenocarcinoma histology (90%), and received neoadjuvant therapy (78%). Mean length of stay was 8.00 days (SD, 4.13) with 45% inpatient morbidity rate and no deaths. The largest proportions of cost were from the operating room (30%), inpatient floor (30%), and postanesthesia care/intensive care units (20%). Preoperative predictors of operative costs were age (-5.18% per decade [95% confidence interval {CI}, -9.95 to -0.27], P = .039), body mass index ≥ 30 (+12.9% [95% CI, 0.00-27.5], P = .050), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (-3.24% per 10% forced expiratory volume in 1 second [95% CI, -5.80 to -0.61], P = .017), and year of surgery (+2.55% [95% CI, 0.97-4.15], P = .002). Predictors of postoperative costs were postoperative renal failure (+91.6% [95% CI, 9.93-233.8], P = .022), respiratory failure (+414.6% [95% CI, 158.7-923.6], P < .001), pneumonia (+136.1% [95% CI, 71.1-225.8], P < .001), and reoperation (+60.5% [95% CI, 21.5-111.9], P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Costs associated with minimally invasive esophagectomy are driven by preoperative risk factors and postoperative outcomes. These data enable surgeons and policymakers to reduce cost variation, improve quality through standardization, and ultimately provide greater value to patients.

A prospective comparison of costs between robotics, laparoscopy, and laparotomy in endometrial cancer among women with Class III obesity or higher.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the immediate operating room (OR), inpatient, and overall costs between three surgical modalities among women with endometrial cancer (EC) and Class III obesity or higher. METHODS: A multicentre prospective observational study examined outcomes of women, with early stage EC, treated surgically. Resource use was collected for OR costs including OR time, equipment, and inpatient costs. Median OR, inpatient, and overall costs across surgical modalities were analyzed using an Independent-Samples Kruskal-Wallis Test among patients with BMI ≥ 40. RESULTS: Out of 520 women, 103 had a BMI ≥ 40. Among women with BMI ≥ 40: median OR costs were $4197.02 for laparotomy, $5524.63 for non-robotic assisted laparoscopy, and $7225.16 for robotic-assisted laparoscopy (p < 0.001) and median inpatient costs were $5584.28 for laparotomy, $3042.07 for non-robotic assisted laparoscopy, and $1794.51 for robotic-assisted laparoscopy (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the median overall costs: $10 291.50 for laparotomy, $8412.63 for non-robotic assisted laparoscopy, and $9002.48 for robotic-assisted laparoscopy (p = 0.185). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in overall costs between the three surgical modalities in patient with BMI ≥ 40. Given the similar costs, any form of minimally invasive surgery should be promoted in this population.

Update on Minimally Invasive Surgical Approaches for Rectal Cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to clarify the current role of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of rectal cancer, highlighting short- and long-term outcomes from the latest trials and studies. RECENT FINDINGS: Data from previous trials has been conflicting, with some failing to demonstrate non-inferiority of laparoscopic surgical resection of rectal cancer compared to an open approach and others demonstrating similar clinical outcomes. Robot-assisted surgery was thought to be a promising solution to the challenges faced by laparoscopic surgery, and even though the only randomized controlled trial to date comparing these two techniques did not show superiority of robot-assisted surgery over laparoscopy, more recent retrospective data suggests a statistically significant higher negative circumferential resection margin rate, decreased frequency of conversion to open, and less sexual and urinary complications. Minimally invasive surgery techniques for resection of rectal cancer, particularly robot-assisted, offer clear short-term peri-operative benefits over an open approach; however, current data has yet to display non-inferiority in terms of oncological outcomes.

Lifetime incremental cost-utility ratios for minimally invasive surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis relative to failed medical management compared with total hip and knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) relative to failed medical management with the cost-effectiveness of hip and knee arthroplasty for matched cohorts of patients with osteoarthritis. Methods: A cohort of patients with DLS undergoing MIS procedures with decompression alone or decompression and instrumented fusion between 2008 and 2014 was matched to cohorts of patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and knee OA undergoing total joint replacement. Incremental cost-utility ratios (ICURs) were calculated from the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Health, using prospectively collected Short Form-6 Dimension utility data. Costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were discounted at 3% and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Sixty-six patients met the inclusion criteria for the DLS cohort (n = 35 for decompression alone), with a minimum follow-up time of 1 year (mean 1.7 yr). The mean age of patients in the DLS cohort was 64.76 years, and 45 patients (68.2%) were female. For each cohort, utility scores improved from baseline to follow-up and the magnitude of the gain did not differ by group. Lifetime ICURs comparing surgical with nonsurgical care were Can$7946/QALY, Can$7104/QALY and Can$5098/QALY for the DLS, knee OA and hip OA cohorts, respectively. Subgroup analysis yielded an increased ICUR for the patients with DLS who underwent decompression and fusion (Can$9870/QALY) compared with that for the patients with DLS who underwent decompression alone (Can$5045/QALY). The rank order of the ICURs by group did not change with deterministic or probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: Lifetime ICURs for MIS procedures for DLS are similar to those for total joint replacement. Future research should adopt a societal perspective and potentially capture further economic benefits of MIS procedures.

Contexte: L'objectif de cette étude était de comparer le rapport coût­efficacité de la chirurgie minimalement effractive (CME) chez les patients atteints de spondylolisthésis lombaire dégénératif (SLD) en lien avec un échec de la prise en charge médicale à celui de l'arthroplastie de la hanche et du genou pour des cohortes assorties de patients atteints d'arthrose. Méthodes: Une cohorte de patients atteints de SLD soumis à une CME avec décompression seule ou décompression avec arthrodèse entre 2008 et 2014 a été assortie à des cohortes de patients soumis à une arthroplastie totale pour arthrose de la hanche et du genou. Les rapports coût­utilité différentiels (RCUD) ont été calculés du point de vue du ministère de la Santé de l'Ontario à l'aide des données d'utilité du questionnaire Short Form­6 Dimension recueillies de manière prospective. Les coûts et les années de vie ajustées en fonction de la qualité (AVAQ) ont été actualisés à un taux de 3 % et des analyses de sensibilité ont été effectuées. Résultats: Soixante-six patients répondaient aux critères d'inclusion pour la cohorte SLD (n = 35, décompression seule), avec un suivi d'une durée minimale de 1 an (moyenne 1,7 an). L'âge moyen des gens de la cohorte SLD était de 64,76 ans, et 45 patients (68,2 %) étaient de sexe féminin. Pour chaque cohorte, les scores d'utilité se sont améliorés entre les valeurs de départ et les valeurs de suivi et l'ampleur du gain n'a pas différé entre les groupes. Les RCUD pour la vie entière entre les soins chirurgicaux et non chirurgicaux ont été 7946 $CA/QALY, 7104 $CA/QALY et 5098 $CA/QALY pour les cohortes SLD, arthrose du genou et de la hanche, respectivement. L'analyse de sous-groupes a généré un RCUD accru pour les patients atteints de SLD qui ont subi la décompression avec arthrodèse (9870 $CA/QALY) comparativement à la décompression seule (5045 $CA/QALY). Le classement des RCUD par groupe n'a pas changé en fonction des analyses de sensibilité déterministes ou probabilistes. Conclusion: Les RCUD pour la vie entière associés à la CME dans les cas de SLD sont similaires à ceux de l'arthroplastie totale. Les recherches futures devraient adopter une perspective sociétale et refléter davantage les bienfaits économiques de la CME.

A Cost Utility Analysis of Minimally Invasive Surgery with Thrombolysis Compared to Standard Medical Treatment in Spontaneous Intracerebral Haemorrhagic Stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Standard medical management of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and surgical hematoma evacuation starkly differ, and whilst landmark randomised control trials report no clinical benefit of early surgical evacuation compared with medical treatment in supratentorial ICH, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with thrombolysis has been neglected within these studies. However, recent technological advancements in MIS have renewed interest in the surgical treatment of ICH. Several economic evaluations have focused on the benefits of MIS in ischaemic stroke management, but no economic evaluations have yet been performed comparing MIS to standard medical treatment for ICH. MATERIALS AND METHOD: All costs were sourced from the UK in GBP. Where possible, the 2019/2020 NHS reference costs were used. The MISTIE III study was used to analyse the outcomes of patients undergoing either MIS or standard medical treatment in this economic evaluation. RESULTS: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for MIS was £485,240.26 for every quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Although MIS resulted in a higher QALY compared to medical treatment, the gain was insignificant at 0.011 QALY. Four sensitivity analyses based on combinations of alternative EQ-5D values and categorisation of MIS outcomes, alongside alterations to the cost of significant adverse events, were performed to check the robustness of the ICER calculation. The most realistic sensitivity analysis showed a potential increase in cost effectiveness when clot size is reduced to <15ml, with the ICER falling to £74,335.57. DISCUSSION: From the perspective of the NHS, MIS with thrombolysis is not cost-effective compared to optimal medical treatment. ICER shows that intention-to-treat MIS would require a cost of £485,240.26 to gain one extra QALY, which is significantly above the NHS threshold of £30,000. Further UK studies with ICH survivor utilities, more replicable surgical technique, and the reporting of clot size reduction are indicated as the present sensitivity analysis suggests that MIS is promising. Greater detail about outcomes and complications would ensure improved cost-benefit analyses and support valid and efficient allocation of resources by the NHS.

Minimally Invasive Intracerebral Hematoma Evacuation Using a Novel Cost-Effective Tubular Retractor: Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous intracerebral hematoma (ICH) is a common disease with a dismal overall prognosis. Recent development of minimally invasive ICH evacuation techniques has shown promising results. Commercially available tubular retractors are commonly used for minimally invasive ICH evacuation yet are globally unavailable. METHODS: A novel U.S. $7 cost-effective, off-the-shelf, atraumatic tubular retractor for minimally invasive intracranial surgery is described. Patients with acute spontaneous ICH underwent microsurgical tubular retractor-assisted minimally invasive ICH evacuation using the novel retractor. Patient outcome was retrospectively analyzed and compared with open surgery and with commercial tubular retractors. RESULTS: Ten adult patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH and median preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score of 10 were included. ICH involved the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipitotemporal region, and solely basal ganglia in 3, 3, 2, and 2 patients, respectively. Mean preoperative ICH volume was 80 mL. Mean residual hematoma volume was 8.7 mL and mean volumetric hematoma reduction was 91% (median, 94%). Seven patients (70%) underwent >90% volumetric hematoma reduction. The total median length of hospitalization was 26 days. On discharge, the median Glasgow Coma Scale score was 12.5 (mean, 11.7). Thirty to 90 days' follow-up data were available for 9 patients (90%). The mean follow-up modified Rankin Scale score was 3.7 and 5 patients (56%) had a modified Rankin Scale score of 3. CONCLUSIONS: The novel cost-effective tubular retractor and microsurgical technique offer a safe and effective method for minimally invasive ICH evacuation. Cost-effective tubular retractors may continue to present a valid alternative to commercial tubular retractors.

Cost Analysis of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in the UK National Health Service.

BACKGROUND: In the UK National Health Service, finite resources make the adoption of minimally invasive (MI) mitral valve surgery challenging unless greater operative costs (vs sternotomy [ST]) are balanced by postoperative savings. This study examined whether the cost analysis now became unfavorable. METHODS: All patients (n = 380) undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery with or without a maze procedure over a 3-year period by either MI or ST approaches were included. Propensity matching (2 cohorts, 1:1 matched;, n = 75 per group) and multivariable regression were used to assess for the effect on cost. Cost data were prospectively collected from Service Line Reporting and reported in Sterling (£) as median (interquartile range [IQR]). RESULTS: Matched data revealed that total hospital costs were equivalent (MI vs ST, £16,672 [IQR, £15,044, £20,611] vs £15,875 [IQR, £12,281, £20,687]; P .33). Three of 15 costing pools were significantly different: operative costs were higher for the MI group (MI vs ST, £7458 [IQR, £6738, £8286] vs £5596 iIQR, £4204, £6992]; P < .001), whereas ward costs (boarding, nursing) (MI vs ST, £1464 [IQR, £1146, £1864] vs £1733 [IQR, £1403, £2445] P = .006) and pharmacy services (MI vs ST, £187 [IQR, £140, £239] vs £244 [IQR, £179, £375] P < .001) were lower for the MI group. Hospital stay was shorter in the MI group (MI vs ST, 6 days [IQR, 5, 8 days] vs 8 days [IQR, 6, 11 days]; P < .001). Multivariable regression produced similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in overall hospital cost between MI and ST mitral valve surgery: higher operative costs of MI surgery were offset by lower postoperative costs, with a 2-day shorter hospital stay.

Use of Local Morselized Bone Autograft in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Cost Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have investigated the financial influence of surgical site local morselized bone autograft (LMBA) on the overall cost of spinal arthrodesis procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential savings from introducing LMBA in spinal fusion procedures compared with no LMBA use. METHODS: Retrospectively, cost analysis was conducted on a single-center data collected from 266 patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) ranging from L1 through S1 during a period of approximately 4 years. Cost data were obtained from individual patient invoices from the distributor. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted for different costs of allograft and LMBA. RESULTS: A total of 282 levels were grafted in 266 subjects. The total quantity of LMBA harvested was 2433.5 mL, and a total of 1610 mL of allograft (Trinity Elite, ORTHOFIX, Lewisville, Texas, USA) were used. The overall cost savings from introducing LMBA in MI-TLIF surgery were $1,094,931 over the 4-year period with mean direct cost saving of $4116.28 per patient based on reduction in allograft. Results for cost savings per patient were sensitive to different direct costs of allograft and LMBA. A >95% fusion rate was achieved based on dynamic radiographs evaluated by an independent radiologist. CONCLUSIONS: LMBA is a cost-saving bone graft extender option in MI-TLIF procedures while achieving high fusion rates. The savings are mainly achieved by reducing the amount of allograft needed and subsequent reduction in the total bone graft costs. Further research needs to be performed regarding long-term economic benefit.

Current Trends in Compensation for Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Graduates: A 6-Year Follow-Up.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To present updated information regarding compensation patterns for Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (FMIGS)-graduated physicians in the United States beginning practice during the last 10 years, focusing on the variables that have an impact on differences in salary, including gender, fellowship duration, geographic region, practice setting, and practice mix. DESIGN: An online survey was sent to FMIGS graduates between March 15, 2019 and April 12, 2019. Information on physicians' demographics, compensation (on the basis of location, practice model, productivity benchmarks, academic rank, and years in practice), and attitudes toward fairness in compensation was collected. SETTING: Online survey. PARTICIPANTS: FMIGS graduates practicing in the United States. INTERVENTION: E-mail survey. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We surveyed 298 US FMIGS surgeons who had graduated during the last 10 years (2009-2018). The response rate was 48.7%. Most of the respondents were women (69%). Most of the graduates (84.8%) completed 2- or 3-year fellowship programs. After adjustment for inflation, the median starting salary for the first postfellowship job was $252 074 ($223 986-$279 983) (Table 1). The median time spent in the first job was 2.6 years, and the median total salary at the current year rose to $278 379.4 ($241 437-$350 976). The median salary for respondents entering a second postfellowship job started at $280 945 ($261 409-$329 603). Significantly lower compensation was reported for female FMIGS graduates in their initial postfellowship jobs and was consistently lower than for that of men over time. Most FMIGS graduates (59.7%) reported feeling inadequately compensated for their level of specialization. CONCLUSION: A trend toward higher self-reported salaries is noted for FMIGS graduates in recent years, with significant differences in compensation between men and women. Among obstetrics and gynecology subspecialists, FMIGS graduates earn significantly less than other fellowship-trained physicians, with median salaries that are lower than those of generalist obstetrics and gynecology physicians.

Minimally Invasive vs Open Coronary Surgery: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Cost and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Limited multi-institutional data evaluating minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) outcomes have raised concern for increased resource utilization compared with standard sternotomy. The purpose of this study was to assess short-term outcomes and resource utilization with MICS CABG in a propensity-matched regional cohort. METHODS: Isolated CABG patients (2012-2019) were extracted from a regional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Patients were stratified by MICS CABG vs open CABG via sternotomy, propensity-score matched 1:2 to balance baseline differences, and compared by univariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 26,255 isolated coronary artery bypass graft patients, 139 MICS CABG and 278 open CABG patients were well balanced after matching. There was no difference in the operative mortality rate (2.2% open vs 0.7% MICS CABG, P = .383) or major morbidity (7.9% open vs 7.2% MICS CABG, P = .795). However, open CABG patients received more blood products (22.2% vs 12.2%, P = .013), and had longer intensive care unit (45 vs 30 hours, P = .049) as well as hospital lengths of stay (7 vs 6 days, P = .005). Finally, median hospital cost was significantly higher in the open CABG group ($35,011 vs $27,906, P < .001) compared with MICS CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Open CABG via sternotomy and MICS CABG approaches are associated with similar, excellent perioperative outcomes. However, MICS CABG was associated with fewer transfusions, shorter length of stay, and ∼$7000 lower hospital cost, a superior resource utilization profile that improves patient care and lowers cost.

Implementation of Outpatient Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression at an Academic Medical Center without Ambulatory Surgery Centers: A Cost Analysis and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar decompressions are increasingly performed at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). We sought to compare costs of open and minimally invasive (MIS) lumbar decompressions performed at a university without dedicated ASCs. METHODS: Lumbar decompressions performed at a tertiary academic hospital or satellite university hospital dedicated to outpatient surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Care pathways were same-day, overnight observation, or inpatient admission. Patient demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Charlson Comorbidity Index, surgical characteristics, 30-day readmission, and costs were collected. A systematic review of lumbar decompression cost literature was performed. RESULTS: A total of 354 patients, mean age 55 years with 128 women (36.2%), were reviewed. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, or Charlson Comorbidity Index between patients treated with open and minimally invasive surgery. Open decompression was associated with higher total cost ($21,280 vs. $14,407; P < 0.001); however, this was driven by care pathway and length of stay. When stratifying by care pathway, there was no difference in total cost between open versus minimally invasive surgery among same-day ($10,609 vs. $11,074; P = 0.556), overnight observation ($14,097 vs. $13,992; P = 0.918), or inpatient admissions ($24,507 vs. $27,929; P = 0.311). CONCLUSIONS: When accounting for care pathway, the cost of open and MIS decompression were no different. Transition from a tertiary academic hospital to a university hospital specializing in outpatient surgery was not associated with lower costs. Academic departments may consider transitioning lumbar decompressions to a dedicated ASC to maximize cost savings; however, additional studies are needed.

Cost-effectiveness of Recurrent Dupuytren Contracture Treatment.

Importance: Owing to its tendency to recur, Dupuytren contracture often requires multiple treatments, which places additional economic burden on health care. The likelihood of contracture recurrence varies not only with treatment but also with disease characteristics, such as contracture severity and location, but prior cost-effectiveness analyses of Dupuytren contracture treatments have not considered these patient-specific disease characteristics. Objective: To identify the most cost-effective treatment regimen for patients with recurrent Dupuytren contracture. Design, Setting, and Participants: This economic evaluation was conducted with state-transition microsimulation modeling using data from published studies and Medicare. A simulated cohort of 10 000 individuals with Dupuytren contracture was created. Patients could transition yearly between the following health states: symptom-free, symptomatic, and death. Available treatments were collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection, percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA), and limited fasciectomy (LF); individuals randomly chose any treatment when symptomatic. Patients were limited to 3 rounds of treatment for a contracture affecting 1 joint, totaling 27 unique combinations. If the contracture recurred after 3 treatments, patients lived with the disease for the remainder of life. Exposures: PNA, collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection, or LF. Main Outcomes and Measures: Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), total costs (in US dollars), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). A willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year was used to assess cost-effectiveness. Results: For the base case scenario of a patient aged 60 years with recurrent, low-severity metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint contracture, repeated PNA treatment was the only cost-effective treatment (2 PNA treatments followed by LF vs 3 PNA treatments, ICER [Monte Carlo SE]: $212 647/QALY [$36 000/QALY]). For recurrent high-severity MCP joint contractures, treatment regimens composed of PNA and LF were cost-effective (ICER [Monte Carlo SE], $93 932/QALY [$16 500/QALY]). LF was cost-effective for high-severity MCP joint contracture (ICER [Monte Carlo SE], $98 624/QALY [$26 233/QALY]). For recurrent proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures, PNA was the only cost-effective treatment, regardless of severity (eg, 2 PNA treatments followed by LF vs 3 PNA treatments for low-severity PIP joint contracture, ICER [Monte Carlo SE]: $263 726/QALY [$29 000/QALY]). Any combination with collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection compared with 3 PNA treatments had an ICER greater than $100 000 per QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis estimated a 44%, 15%, 41%, and 52% chance of a regimen consisting of only PNA being cost-effective in low-severity MCP, high-severity MCP, low-severity PIP, and high-severity PIP joint contractures, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this study suggest that LF is a cost-effective intervention for recurrent high-severity MCP joint contractures. For recurrent low-severity MCP joint contractures and PIP joint contractures of all severity levels, PNA was the only cost-effective intervention. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections were not a cost-effective intervention for recurrent Dupuytren contracture and should not be preferred over PNA or LF.

[Minimally invasive ventral hernia repair: apply or save?] / Maloinvazivnye tekhnologii v gerniologii: primenyat' nel'zya ekonomit'.

Treatment of patients with ventral hernias remains one of the most pressing problems of abdominal surgery. Surgeons are trying to find a «gold standard¼ for the treatment of this pathology. Great hopes are placed on minimally invasive techniques, however, due to their high cost, they do not yet find mass distribution in everyday practice. In our opinion, this is short-sighted. We tried to analyze the feasibility of using minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of patients with ventral hernias of various locations, from the position of clinical and economic efficiency.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery: A Critical Appraisal of the Literature.

Micro- or minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) have been the latest addition to the glaucoma surgical treatment paradigm. This term refers not to a single surgery, but rather to a group of distinct procedures and devices that aim to decrease intraocular pressure. Broadly, MIGS can be categorized into surgeries that increase the trabecular outflow [Trabectome, iStent (first and second generations), Hydrus microstent, Kahook Dual Blade and gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy], surgeries that increase suprachoroidal outflow (Cypass microstent and iStent Supra), and conjunctival bleb-forming procedures (Xen gel stent and InnFocus microshunt). Compared to traditional glaucoma surgeries, such as trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage device implantation (Ahmed, Baerveldt, and Molteno valves), MIGS are touted to have less severe complications and shorter surgical time. MIGS represent an evolving field, and the efficacy and complications of each procedure should be considered independently, giving more importance to high-quality and longer-term studies.

Minimally invasive and inexpensive percutaneous abscess drainage using an indwelling needle cannula.

PURPOSE: Abscess is still a formidable disease and requires adequate drainage. Moreover, drainage in the head and neck area needs cosmetic care, especially in the pediatric population. In this report, we introduce our method of percutaneous abscess drainage using an indwelling needle cannula. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten pediatric and five adult patients with cervical and/or facial abscess treated with this drainage method were retrospectively reviewed. Using an indwelling needle cannula (18-14 G Surflow®, Terumo, Tokyo, Japan), abscesses were penetrated under ultrasonic examination. Once purulent retention was identified, the inner metal needle was removed and the outer elastic needle was left and fixed. The outer needle was connected to the tube for continuous suction drainage for large abscess. RESULTS: The primary diseases of these abscesses were cervical abscess of dental origin (5), purulent lymphadenitis (3), pyriform sinus fistula (2) and subperiosteal abscess due to mastoiditis (2), circumorbital cellulitis (1), infection of Warthin's tumor (1), and unknown origin (1). The median (range) duration of drainage was 4 days (3-9 days). Abscesses were successfully treated, and no patients required additional incision for abscess drainage. No apparent scars after drainage were observed. CONCLUSION: This technique resembles the usual venous placement of an indwelling needle cannula and is thought to be familiar to physicians. Although simple and inexpensive, this drainage is safe, effective, and minimally invasive for the treatment of abscess.

Cost-effective minimally invasive gynecologic surgery: emphasizing surgical efficiency.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The United States has the highest healthcare costs among developed countries. This review evaluates surgical practices and equipment choices during endoscopic hysterectomy, highlighting opportunities for the gynecologic surgeon to reduce costs and maximize surgical efficiency. RECENT FINDINGS: There are opportunities to economize at every step of the endoscopic hysterectomy. When surgeons are provided education about instrumentation costs, the cost of hysterectomy has been shown to decrease. Colpotomy has been found to be the rate-limiting step in laparoscopic hysterectomy; use of a uterine manipulator likely saves time and money. When evaluating the economic impact of route of surgery, the cost differential between laparoscopic and robotic-assisted hysterectomy has decreased. Robotic-assisted hysterectomy may be more cost-effective in some cases, such as for larger uteri. From a systems-level perspective, dedicating a specific operating room team to the gynecology service can decrease operative time. SUMMARY: The gynecologic surgeon is best equipped to control surgery-related costs by making choices that improve surgical efficiency and decrease operating room time. If a costlier piece of equipment leads to a more efficient case, the choice may be more cost-effective. There are multiple systems-level changes that can be implemented to decrease surgery-related costs.