Objectives: The aim of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of hysterectomy costs versus the operative technique based on the data of 656 patients operated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Gynecological Oncology Subdivision, Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God Hospital, Katowice, between 2016 and 2018 (until May 31, 2018).
Material and methods: This retrospective research involved 656 patients who underwent hysterectomy for non-oncological reasons. The patients were subdivided into three groups, depending on the operative method (transabdominal, laparoscopic or transvaginal). Next, treatment costs were compared, including the costs of hospitalization, operating block, operating block materials, drugs, anesthesia, and medical staff. The duration of the operation and the hospital stay were also analyzed as they significantly affected the final result.
Results: Data analysis revealed that transvaginal hysterectomy generated the lowest costs. A positive relationship between low costs and the duration of surgery and hospitalization, which is significantly shortened in case of transvaginal hysterectomy, was confirmed.
Conclusions: 1. The transvaginal approach is the most cost-effective technique of hysterectomy. 2. Apart from the financial advantage, transvaginal hysterectomy is also associated with shorter hospitalization and faster recovery. 3. Emphasis should be placed on training physicians in minimally invasive hysterectomies - especially the transvaginal approach - so that the greatest percentage of patients who are deemed eligible for hysterectomy could be operated using this minimally invasive technique.
Keywords: costs; hysterectomy; operation.