Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms--a cost analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms is cost effective when compared with conventional surgical treatment.


METHODS
A retrospective study.


METHODS
Seventeen patients treated between August 2002 and August 2003 had posterior communicating artery aneurysms. This group was selected for detailed analysis.


METHODS
Total treatment costs, in South African rands (R), were calculated for each patient. Average treatment costs for each group were then compared.


RESULTS
Surgically clipped and endovascularly coiled groups were comparable for age, sex and clinical condition. The average cost for endovascular treatment per patient was R37 041. Surgical treatment was more expensive at R44 104, a difference of 16%.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the high cost of endovascular devices, appropriate use of this technology ultimately offers less expensive treatment than microsurgical clipping of aneurysms.
Le Feuvre
David
D
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town.
Taylor
Allan
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D006302:Health Services Research; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors