Costs of regional and general anesthesia: what the plastic surgeon needs to know

Although regional anesthesia techniques seem to expand the opportunity for cost savings when executing plastic surgery procedures, cost allocation is not a simple business. Equivalence must first be demonstrated, and the patient’s perception is integral to assigning value to an intervention. Opportunity costs cannot be ignored when the plastic surgeon assumes the role of the anesthesiologist. Most importantly, the system must be modified to optimize the cost savings realized through the intervention. This article presents an in-depth look into the multiple factors that must be taken into consideration when assessing costs related to anesthesia.