Cost analysis of a mucoadhesive foam versus conventional treatment for postepisiotomy patients

The cost of treating postepisiotomy pain and edema with foam containing 1% hydrocortisone acetate and 1% pramoxine hydrochloride and a spray with 20% benzocaine was compared in 200 postpartum patients. Treatment with foam was demonstrated to be more effective than benzocaine spray with greater pain relief and reduction of edema as shown by lower patient need of supplemental pain-relief measures. Treatment with foam was also determined to be less expensive than benzocaine spray when the cost of the supplemental pain-relief measures for benzocaine-treated patients were assessed. Methods used to determine actual hospital costs are presented, and supplemental pain relief treatments are discussed. Use of this type of cost analysis may be useful to the P & T Committee when determining actual cost-effectiveness of different treatment modalities.