Introduction and hypothesis: To identify the optimal cost-effectiveness threshold of post-void residual (PVR) by bladder scan in postoperative urogynecologic patients.
Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed as a secondary analysis of a previously published study of patients undergoing urogynecologic procedures with planned voiding trials, setting thresholds for postoperative PVR bladder scan volumes at 100 ml, 150 ml, and 200 ml. Patient-based scenarios were modeled for ambulatory office or emergency department (ED) resource utilization and to determine the cost-effectiveness of each threshold. Costs were obtained from a southeastern academic medical center, only utilizing direct medical costs and hospital costs, not including societal costs. Quality-adjusted life years (QALY's) were used as health outcomes determining the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).
Results: A total of 151 patients from the original study were included. A willingness to pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY was assumed. A PVR of 100 ml exceeded this at $373,824. A PVR threshold of 150 ml was dominant (-$1,211,716), while minimizing ED visits for postoperative urinary retention (POUR) and unnecessary clinic appointments. While a PVR of 200 ml appeared a cost-effective strategy (-$488,389), there was increased ED utilization and under-detection of postoperative urinary retention (POUR).
Conclusion: A PVR threshold of 100 ml created a healthcare system burden due to increased office voiding trials. Both PVR thresholds of 150 ml and 200 ml were cost-effective strategies; however, ED utilization for POUR increased with 200 ml. Utilizing 150 ml as the PVR cut-off proved the most cost-effective strategy, avoiding POUR under-detection and undue health costs.
Keywords: Cost-effectiveness analysis; Post-void residual; Postoperative urinary retention.
© 2022. The International Urogynecological Association.