Michael Reeves1, Rajeshbhai Patel2, Christopher Harmston2. 1. Training General Surgical Registrar, Department of Surgery, Whangarei Hospital, Whangarei. 2. Consultant General Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Whangarei Hospital, Whangarei.
Abstract
AIM: Surgeon-performed ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) and radiologist-performed US-FNAC are both accepted forms of thyroid nodule assessment. To date there have been no studies comparing cost of evaluation between these two models. The aim of this study is to compare surgeon-performed thyroid US-FNAC to radiologist-performed US-FNAC. The primary outcome of interest was cost of surgeon-performed US-FNAC compared to cost of radiologist-performed US-FNAC. Secondary outcome of interest was time to treatment decision. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all thyroid biopsies performed in 2016 and 2017 in a single centre were included. Costs were calculated using labour costs for SMO and allied technical personnel. RESULTS: There were 92 patients included in the analysis. Forty-two underwent surgeon-performed US-FNAC and 50 underwent radiologist-performed US-FNAC. Mean cost in surgeon-performed US-FNAC was $653 compared to $1017 in radiologist-performed US-FNA. Time from first appointment to definitive management plan was 47 days in surgeon-performed USFNAC and 116 days in radiologist-performed US-FNAC. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates surgeon-performed US-FNAC for evaluation of thyroid nodules results in significantly lower costs and improved timeliness of care when compared to radiologist-performed US-FNAC.
AIM: Surgeon-performed ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) and radiologist-performed US-FNAC are both accepted forms of thyroid nodule assessment. To date there have been no studies comparing cost of evaluation between these two models. The aim of this study is to compare surgeon-performed thyroid US-FNAC to radiologist-performed US-FNAC. The primary outcome of interest was cost of surgeon-performed US-FNAC compared to cost of radiologist-performed US-FNAC. Secondary outcome of interest was time to treatment decision. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all thyroid biopsies performed in 2016 and 2017 in a single centre were included. Costs were calculated using labour costs for SMO and allied technical personnel. RESULTS: There were 92 patients included in the analysis. Forty-two underwent surgeon-performed US-FNAC and 50 underwent radiologist-performed US-FNAC. Mean cost in surgeon-performed US-FNAC was $653 compared to $1017 in radiologist-performed US-FNA. Time from first appointment to definitive management plan was 47 days in surgeon-performed USFNAC and 116 days in radiologist-performed US-FNAC. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates surgeon-performed US-FNAC for evaluation of thyroid nodules results in significantly lower costs and improved timeliness of care when compared to radiologist-performed US-FNAC.