[The influence of application of resorbable fibrinogen-collagen patches on the costs of selected procedures in thoracic surgery].
The application of fibrinogen-collagen patch to air tight closure of the lung parenchyma after pulmonary surgery is profitable for the patients but relatively high price of this product may cause a surgeons' hesitation before using it.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the total costs of treatment of two subgroups of patients in whom, during the same surgical procedure, the fibrinogen-collagen patches were applicated or not to achieve air tight closure of the lung surface.


METHODS
A total costs of treatment of 122 patients were analyzed. The operations performed were as follows: bullectomy in pulmonary emphysema (n=31), decortication and empyemectomy (n= 16), partial pulmonary resection with coexisting diffuse pleural adhesions (n=75). In 58 patients the surface of the lung was sutured manually or by staplers but in 64 cases fibrinogen-collagen patches were used additionally.


RESULTS
The costs of the surgical procedure were higher in the sub-group of patients in whom fibrinogen-collagen patches were applicated. However, in these patients the hospital stay was shorter and the costs of laboratory tests and x-ray examinations performed after surgery were lower in comparison with patients operated on in traditional way.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of a relatively expensive product - fibrinogen-collagen patch to seal the lung parenchyma does not cause the increase of the total cost of the treatment.
Kowalewski
Janusz
J
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Collegium Medicum w Bydgoszczy, Katedra i Klinika Chirurgii Klatki Piersiowej i Nowotworów. kowalewskij@co.bydgoszcz.pl
Dancewicz
Maciej
M
Bella
Mariusz
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003094:Collagen / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013510:Pulmonary Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D003094:Collagen