Cesare Carlo Ferrari1, Stefano Rausei2, Francesco Amico2, Luigi Boni3, Feng-Yu Chiang4, Che-Wei Wu4, Hoon Yub Kim5, Gianlorenzo Dionigi6. 1. Endocrine Surgery Research Center, Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria (Varese-Como), Varese, Italy. 2. Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria (Varese-Como), Varese, Italy. 3. Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria (Varese-Como), Varese, Italy. 4. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 5. Department of Surgery, KUMC Thyroid Center, Korea University Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 6. Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria (Varese-Como), Varese, Italy. gianlorenzo.dionigi@uninsubria.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The impact of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury management in thyroid surgery seems to be relevant to patients, National Healthcare System (NHS), and society. METHODS: We studied resource consumption in the management of patients with RLN injury versus noninjured patients investigating 3 perspectives (patients, NHS, and society) in 5 clinical pathways. RESULTS: Direct medical costs supported by the NHS range from a minimum of euro (€) 79.46 to a maximum of € 3261.95. From the patient's perspective, the direct medical costs supported by the patient increased from a minimum of € 3.60 to a maximum of € 499.45. Productivity losses were accounted in € 156 per day per patient. From the NHS perspective, the percentage increase ranged from 43.25% to 98.14%. From the patient's perspective, it ranged from 51.52% to 80.60%. CONCLUSION: The analysis shows a significant economic impact of RLN injury management, which varies depending on the damage, duration, and severity.
BACKGROUND: The impact of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury management in thyroid surgery seems to be relevant to patients, National Healthcare System (NHS), and society. METHODS: We studied resource consumption in the management of patients with RLN injury versus noninjuredpatients investigating 3 perspectives (patients, NHS, and society) in 5 clinical pathways. RESULTS: Direct medical costs supported by the NHS range from a minimum of euro (€) 79.46 to a maximum of € 3261.95. From the patient's perspective, the direct medical costs supported by the patient increased from a minimum of € 3.60 to a maximum of € 499.45. Productivity losses were accounted in € 156 per day per patient. From the NHS perspective, the percentage increase ranged from 43.25% to 98.14%. From the patient's perspective, it ranged from 51.52% to 80.60%. CONCLUSION: The analysis shows a significant economic impact of RLN injury management, which varies depending on the damage, duration, and severity.