A comparison of the costs of vascular surgery and balloon dilatation in lower limb ischaemic disease.

The length of stay in hospital was recorded for 24 patients admitted for investigation and treatment of vascular disease of the lower limb and a detailed analysis of the costs incurred was made for 10 patients. It was found that the mean cost of angiography and surgery was pounds 1577 and of angiography and dilatation, pounds 301. The major factor in the cost difference was the shorter hospital stay for dilatation, with lesser factors being the use of fewer staff and the avoidance of general anaesthesia.