Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery 5/2008

01-09-2008 | Original Article

Cost-effectiveness of scan-directed parathyroidectomy

Authors: Radu Mihai, Mary Weisters, Michael J. Stechman, Fergus Gleeson, Greg Sadler

Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery | Issue 5/2008

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Concordant parathyroid localization with sestamibi and ultrasound scans allows minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) to be performed in patients with non-familial primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

Aim

To investigate the financial implications of scan-directed parathyroid surgery.

Methods

Analysis of hospital records for a cohort of consecutive unselected patients treated in a tertiary referral centre.

Results

Two hundred patients (138F:62M, age 18–91years) were operated for non-familial PHPT between Jan 2003 and Oct 2007. MIP was performed in 129 patients, with a mean operative time was 35 ± 18min. Some 75 patients were discharged the same day and the others had a total of 72 in-patient days. Bilateral neck exploration (BNE) was performed in 71 patients with negative/non-concordant scans. Mean operative time was 58 ± 25min. Only nine patients were discharged the same day and a total of 93 in-patient days were used (≈1.3days/patient). The estimated total costs incurred were £215,035 (≈290,000€). These costs would have been covered by the National Tariff (£2,170 per parathyroidectomy) but were higher than those possibly incurred if all 200 patients would have undergone BNE without any radiological investigations (£166,000 ≈ 224,100€).

Conclusion

Shorter operative time and day-case admission for MIP generate costs savings that compensate only partially for the additional costs associated with parathyroid imaging studies.
Literature
9.
go back to reference Siperstein A, Berber E, Mackey R, Alghoul M, Wagner K, Milas M (2004) Prospective evaluation of sestamibi scan, ultrasonography, and rapid PTH to predict the success of limited exploration for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgery 136(4):872–880 doi:10.1016/j.surg.2004.06.024 PubMedCrossRef Siperstein A, Berber E, Mackey R, Alghoul M, Wagner K, Milas M (2004) Prospective evaluation of sestamibi scan, ultrasonography, and rapid PTH to predict the success of limited exploration for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgery 136(4):872–880 doi:10.​1016/​j.​surg.​2004.​06.​024 PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Agarwal G, Barraclough BH, Robinson BG, Reeve TS, Delbridge LW (2002) Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using the ‘focused’ lateral approach. Results of the first 100 consecutive cases. ANZ J Surg 72(2):100–104 doi:10.1046/j.1445-2197.2002.02310.x Agarwal G, Barraclough BH, Robinson BG, Reeve TS, Delbridge LW (2002) Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using the ‘focused’ lateral approach. Results of the first 100 consecutive cases. ANZ J Surg 72(2):100–104 doi:10.​1046/​j.​1445-2197.​2002.​02310.​x
12.
go back to reference Gurnell EM, Thomas SK, McFarlane I, Munday I, Balan KK, Berman L et al (2004) Focused parathyroid surgery with intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement as a day-case procedure. Br J Surg 91(1):78–82 doi:10.1002/bjs.4463 PubMedCrossRef Gurnell EM, Thomas SK, McFarlane I, Munday I, Balan KK, Berman L et al (2004) Focused parathyroid surgery with intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement as a day-case procedure. Br J Surg 91(1):78–82 doi:10.​1002/​bjs.​4463 PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Gauger PG, Agarwal G, England BG, Delbridge LW, Matz KA, Wilkinson M et al (2001) Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring fails to detect double parathyroid adenomas: a 2-institution experience. Surgery 130(6):1005–1010 doi:10.1067/msy.2001.118385 PubMedCrossRef Gauger PG, Agarwal G, England BG, Delbridge LW, Matz KA, Wilkinson M et al (2001) Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring fails to detect double parathyroid adenomas: a 2-institution experience. Surgery 130(6):1005–1010 doi:10.​1067/​msy.​2001.​118385 PubMedCrossRef
15.
19.
go back to reference Mihai R, Palazzo F, Gleeson F, Sadler G (2006) Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without intraoperative PTH monitoring in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Br J Surg 94(1):42–47 doi:10.1002/bjs.5574 CrossRef Mihai R, Palazzo F, Gleeson F, Sadler G (2006) Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without intraoperative PTH monitoring in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Br J Surg 94(1):42–47 doi:10.​1002/​bjs.​5574 CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Scott-Combes D (on behalf of BAETS). BAETS second national audit report. Scott-Combes D (on behalf of BAETS). BAETS second national audit report.
22.
go back to reference Sejean K, Calmus S, Durand-Zaleski I et al (2005) Surgery versus medical follow-up in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: a decision analysis. Eur J Endocrinol 153:915–927 doi:10.1530/eje.1.02029 PubMedCrossRef Sejean K, Calmus S, Durand-Zaleski I et al (2005) Surgery versus medical follow-up in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: a decision analysis. Eur J Endocrinol 153:915–927 doi:10.​1530/​eje.​1.​02029 PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Cost-effectiveness of scan-directed parathyroidectomy
Authors
Radu Mihai
Mary Weisters
Michael J. Stechman
Fergus Gleeson
Greg Sadler
Publication date
01-09-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery / Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 1435-2443
Electronic ISSN: 1435-2451
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-008-0383-6

Other articles of this Issue 5/2008

Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery 5/2008 Go to the issue