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[Evoked potentials for quality assurance in carotid surgery--a cost effectiveness analysis]
J Quendt1, B J Uhl, L V Wedekind
1Klinik für Gefässchirurgie, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart.
Insights
Using somatosensory evoked potentials to guide temporary shunt use in carotid artery surgery can save 4.1% in costs. This method ensures patient safety and maintains high-quality outcomes in carotid endarterectomy procedures.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Neurology
- Health Economics
Abstract:
In order to evaluate the relation between costs and benefit of the use of a temporary shunt during surgery of the carotid artery, we analysed 356 patients undergoing 401 operations of the carotid artery in a period from January 1991 to August 1995 in a retrospective study. The morbidity and mortality during hospital stay were 1.75% respectively 0.75% referring to neurological outcome and death. The potential to economize surgery of the carotid artery by recording the somatosensory evoked potentials in order to select the patients requiring a temporary shunt would be 4.1% of the payment which will be payed from 1996 by the social insurance for carotid endarterectomy. These savings can be realized without loss of quality or higher risk for the patient.