Iatrogenic bile duct injury--a cost analysis.
Roland Andersson1, Karin Eriksson, Per-Jonas Blind
1Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. roland.andersson@med.lu.se
Summary
Iatrogenic bile duct injuries after gallbladder surgery are costly, with minor injuries costing up to €159,585 and major injuries up to €449,204 per million inhabitants annually.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
- Health Economics
Background:
- Iatrogenic bile duct lesions are a significant complication of cholecystectomy, affecting up to 0.9% of patients.
- These injuries can lead to substantial patient morbidity and healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the total economic burden associated with minor and major iatrogenic bile duct injuries.
- To quantify the societal costs of managing these surgical complications.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 24 patients with iatrogenic bile duct injuries (14 minor, 10 major).
- Calculation of average individual costs for minor and major injury management.
- Extrapolation of costs based on actual cholecystectomy and injury incidence rates.
Main Results:
- Costs for minor bile duct injuries range from €136,787–€159,585 per million inhabitants annually.
- Costs for major bile duct injuries range from €336,903–€449,204 per million inhabitants annually.
- Total annual societal costs for all bile duct injuries range from €473,690–€608,789 per million inhabitants.
Conclusions:
- Iatrogenic bile duct injuries represent a substantial economic burden on society.
- Costs encompass in-hospital care, sick leave, and loss of production.
- Effective prevention and management strategies are crucial to mitigate these financial impacts.
