Ian Umo1, Kennedy James2. 1. Surgical Department, Alotau Provincial Hospital, Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority, Alotau, Papua New Guinea. sawavmvs@gmail.com. 2. Surgical Department, Alotau Provincial Hospital, Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority, Alotau, Papua New Guinea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency, and challenges in access to surgery in a low middle-income country can direct cost implications. METHODS: A prospective cost of illness study was conducted at Alotau Provincial Hospital (APH) from October 14, 2019, to June 1, 2020. A bottom-up approach of microcosting was used to estimate the direct medical cost of consecutive patients with acute appendicitis undergoing surgery. RESULTS: The mean cost of acute appendicitis surgery for each patient was K39,517.66 (US$11,460.12) for uncomplicated appendicitis, K45,873.99 (US$13,303.46) for complicated appendicitis and K38,838.80 (US$ 11,263.25) for a normal appendix. In total, the direct medical cost for acute appendicitis in this study was K4,562,625.29 (US$ 1,323,161.33) with the majority of expenditure incurred by surgical ward expenses. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that direct medical costs for uncomplicated appendicitis surgery in a resource-limited hospital are less expensive. As the pathology progresses, the cost also exponentially increases. Policy makers and clinicians must establish appropriate curative surgical services at secondary (NOM of acute appendicitis and laparoscopic surgery) and primary health-care levels to address acute appendicitis surgery as this can reduce costs.
BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency, and challenges in access to surgery in a low middle-income country can direct cost implications. METHODS: A prospective cost of illness study was conducted at Alotau Provincial Hospital (APH) from October 14, 2019, to June 1, 2020. A bottom-up approach of microcosting was used to estimate the direct medical cost of consecutive patients with acute appendicitis undergoing surgery. RESULTS: The mean cost of acute appendicitis surgery for each patient was K39,517.66 (US$11,460.12) for uncomplicated appendicitis, K45,873.99 (US$13,303.46) for complicated appendicitis and K38,838.80 (US$ 11,263.25) for a normal appendix. In total, the direct medical cost for acute appendicitis in this study was K4,562,625.29 (US$ 1,323,161.33) with the majority of expenditure incurred by surgical ward expenses. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that direct medical costs for uncomplicated appendicitis surgery in a resource-limited hospital are less expensive. As the pathology progresses, the cost also exponentially increases. Policy makers and clinicians must establish appropriate curative surgical services at secondary (NOM of acute appendicitis and laparoscopic surgery) and primary health-care levels to address acute appendicitis surgery as this can reduce costs.
Authors: Sunil V Patel; Sulaiman Nanji; Susan B Brogly; Katherine Lajkosz; Patti A Groome; Shaila Merchant Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2018-12-01 Impact factor: 2.089
Authors: Michele Pisano; Niccolò Allievi; Kurinchi Gurusamy; Giuseppe Borzellino; Stefania Cimbanassi; Djamila Boerna; Federico Coccolini; Andrea Tufo; Marcello Di Martino; Jeffrey Leung; Massimo Sartelli; Marco Ceresoli; Ronald V Maier; Elia Poiasina; Nicola De Angelis; Stefano Magnone; Paola Fugazzola; Ciro Paolillo; Raul Coimbra; Salomone Di Saverio; Belinda De Simone; Dieter G Weber; Boris E Sakakushev; Alessandro Lucianetti; Andrew W Kirkpatrick; Gustavo P Fraga; Imitaz Wani; Walter L Biffl; Osvaldo Chiara; Fikri Abu-Zidan; Ernest E Moore; Ari Leppäniemi; Yoram Kluger; Fausto Catena; Luca Ansaloni Journal: World J Emerg Surg Date: 2020-11-05 Impact factor: 5.469