Objective: To compare medical costs of three surgical procedures for the treatment of primary stress urinary incontinence: the laparoscopic Burch colposuspension procedure, the laparoscopic two-team sling procedure, and the transobturator tape (TOT) procedure.
Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of isolated minimally invasive surgical procedures (no concomitant surgery) in 18 women with primary stress incontinence. Six women underwent a laparoscopic Burch colposuspension procedure, six underwent a laparoscopic two-team sling, and six underwent a TOT procedure. The main outcome measure was the mean aggregated medical cost per patient treated. Itemized calculations were made for (1) equipment costs; (2) surgeon, surgical assistant, and anaesthesiologist reimbursements; (3) nursing costs; (4) operating and recovery room costs; and (5) costs of stay in hospital.
Results: The mean cost per patient undergoing a TOT procedure was $2547 (95% CI $2260 to $2833); for a laparoscopic Burch colposuspension it was $4354 (95% CI $3465 to $5244); and for a laparoscopic two-team sling procedure it was $5393 (95% CI $4959 to $5826). Significant differences were found across procedures using a one-way ANOVA. A TOT was lower in cost than both a Burch procedure, with a mean cost difference of $1807.88 (P < 0.001), and a sling procedure, with a mean cost difference of $2834.73 (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: A transobturator tape procedure has less direct medical costs than a laparoscopic Burch colposuspension or a laparoscopic two-team sling procedure in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence.