[Disposable versus reusable biopsy forceps. A prospective cost analysis in the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit of the Dijon University Hospital].
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to compare the cost of a biopsy session performed with a disposable and a reusable endoscopic biopsy forceps.


METHODS
Over a 10-month period, 15 new reusable forceps (10 gastric and 5 colonic) were prospectively tracked. A biopsy session performed with a reusable forceps included its current purchase price, the sterilization cost and the number of uses. A biopsy session performed with a disposable forceps was calculated with its current purchase price and its incineration cost.


RESULTS
At the end of the study, only one reusable forceps had broken and the number of uses was 65. The cost of a biopsy session performed with a gastric reusable forceps was euro 7.52 (including euro 1.92 of sterilization cost) and euro 8.67 for a reusable colonic forceps (with the same sterilization cost). The cost of a biopsy session performed with a gastric or a colonic disposable forceps was euro 11.98. From 44 uses for a colonic forceps and 37 uses for a gastric one, a biopsy session performed with a reusable forceps was already cheaper.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, a biopsy session performed with a reusable forceps was less expensive than with a disposable one. However, the extra cost generated by the disposable forceps may be offset by an easier inventory control and the reduction of the cross contamination risk.
Lejeune
C
C
Registre Bourguignon des Cancers Digestifs (INSERM-InVS 4 T006 C), Faculté de Médecine, Dijon.
Prost
P
P
Michiels
C
C
Roullaud-Guenfoudi
M P
MP
Phelip
J M
JM
Martin
L
L
Rassiat
E
E
Faivre
J
J
D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020685:Colonoscopes / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004180:Direct Service Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D005602:France; D020699:Gastroscopes / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*