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Gastroschisis: small hole, big cost.
R M Sydorak1, A Nijagal, L Sbragia
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|December 17, 2002
Summary
The treatment of gastroschisis is costly, averaging $123,200 per patient. Reducing hospital stay and complications is key to lowering costs for this congenital condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Care
- Health Economics
Background:
- Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the outcomes of gastroschisis treatment.
- To determine the financial costs associated with gastroschisis care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 69 gastroschisis patients over 10 years.
- Hospital costs were standardized to December 2001 dollars.
Main Results:
- Average length of stay was 47 days, with a mean cost of $123,200.
- Operative procedures, ventilatory days, male gender, and length of stay significantly impacted costs.
- Major cost components included room expenses (43%), physician fees (15%), and respiratory care (10%).
Conclusions:
- Gastroschisis treatment incurs substantial healthcare costs.
- Strategies to reduce costs should focus on minimizing gastrointestinal and respiratory complications, and shortening hospital stays.