title: The cost effectiveness of intracyctoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the incremental cost effectiveness of ICSI, and total costs for the population of Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment effects for three patient groups were drawn from a published systematic review and meta-analysis of trials comparing fertilisation outcomes for ICSI. Incremental costs derived from resource-based costing of ICSI and existing practice comparators for each patient group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incremental cost per live birth for patients unsuited to IVF is estimated between A$8,500 and 13,400. For the subnormal semen indication, cost per live birth could be as low as A$3,600, but in the worst case scenario, there would just be additional incremental costs of A$600 per procedure. Multiplying out the additional costs of ICSI over the relevant target populations in Australia gives potential total financial implications of over A$31 million per annum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While there are additional benefits from ICSI procedure, particularly for those with subnormal sperm, the additional cost for the health care system is substantial.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hollingsworth
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mortimer
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004542:Ejaculation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D042282:Microdissection / Q000191:economics; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000191:economics*; D053625:Sperm Retrieval / Q000191:economics