[Costs of subarachnoid vs. general anaesthesia for caesarean section]

Modern medicine is becoming increasingly aware of economic-organizational aspects. In the field of anaesthesiology, the number of agents used markedly increases due to continuous pharmacological progress. A high proportion of them are expensive. The aim of the study was to compare hospital costs of general vs. subarachnoid anaesthesia for Caesarean section.

Costs were assessed from the perspective of a service provider. Direct costs were measured using the micro-cost method based on detailed data of the resources used during anaesthetic procedures. Non-medical costs were calculated by the direct allocation method (costs of auxiliary units). Unit costs of hospitalization were determined using the "top-to-bottom" assessment. Costs related to anaesthetic staff work were calculated by the micro-cost method based on duration of anaesthesia. Sensitivity analysis was performed.

Mean direct cost of general anaesthesia for Caesarean section was lower than of subarachnoid anaesthesia. Mean personnel cost of subarachnoid anaesthesia was found to be higher compared to general anaesthesia. Costs of pharmaceuticals for general anaesthesia were lower than for subarachnoid one. Costs of medical materials related to the method used were significantly higher in subarachnoid anaesthesia.

Subarachnoid anaesthesia takes more time than general one, which results in higher costs of medical staff work. Avoiding inhalation anaesthetics (sevoflurane) makes indirect costs of general anaesthesia lower compared to subarachnoid anaesthesia.