[Economic evaluation of deflexible ureteroscopy with laser]

The purpose of our study was to make an evaluation of the effective cost of a session of deflexible ureteroscopy with laser to cure kidney stones and kidney urothelials tumors.

This cost was calculated based on 103 sessions (83 kidney stones, 18 urothelials tumors, one cyst and one endopyelotomy) carried out on 73 patients and was including (1) staff expenses in the operation room (based on work time stated on the anesthesia sheet); (2) material expenses: technically specific or not. Reusable or single use; (3) amortisement of medical supply calculated on a seven year basis; (4) hospital stay. In this study medical logistic expenses and administrative expenses were not taken into account as well as structural expenses which were considered apart of this activity.

Cost of a laser deflexible ureteroscopy was estimated by more or less 4237.3euro, including 1677.6euro for hospital charges. The cost of a session was 4490.5euro for a tumor and 4141.4euro for a stone, however the difference was not significant. Cost without hospital charges was estimated by 1196.5euro.

The main part of a laser deflexible ureteroscopy session cost was the consequence of hospital expenses. It could only be obtained in a structure running a sufficient activity level depend on amortisement of medical supply.