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Saturday, 13th November 2004
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The technique involves inserting a spring like device into the fallopian tubes which is able to cause scarring the fallopian tubes within 12 weeks.
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ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic gynecologists have
discovered that hysteroscopic sterilization, a new method of
plugging the fallopian tubes to prevent conception, will
save patients money compared to laparoscopic tubal ligation,
the most commonly used method of sterilization for women.
This technique involves inserting a nickel-titanium and stainless
steel springlike device into the fallopian tubes using a
hysteroscope, a tiny, fiberoptic camera. The metal device
encapsulates and holds in place white polyester fibers able to cause
scarring and thus block the fallopian tubes within 12 weeks,
preventing the possibility of future pregnancy. This method requires
minimal sedation and no surgical incision, as the surgeon enters via
the vagina. It also allows quick recovery.
"Patients love it," says Abimbola Famuyide, M.B.B.S., Mayo Clinic
gynecologic surgeon, who conducted the cost-comparison study. "There
are minimal side effects. Patients typically leave the hospital
within an hour, and they are back to work the next day."
Dr. Famuyide and colleagues found that hysteroscopic
sterilization costs patients approximately $500 less on their
medical bills compared to the traditional method of female
sterilization, laparoscopic tubal ligation, surgery requiring an
abdominal incision with general anesthesia.
The study found the hysteroscopic method is less expensive due to
the following factors:
- Quicker recovery -- this method requires either no time in
recovery or much less time in the hospital recovery room and/or
the outpatient floor than laparoscopic tubal ligation, which
also means less need for nursing care or ongoing pain control.
- Less expensive pharmacy charges -- this method requires
fewer drugs to administer.
The study was conducted retrospectively via a comparative cost
analysis of the aforementioned two methods of female sterilization
performed on women ages 27 to 45 who requested permanent
sterilization at Mayo Clinic from January to December 2003. The
analysis included 43 cases of hysteroscopic sterilization and 44
cases of laparoscopic tubal ligation. The investigators reviewed
billing records using cost algorithms on data from Mayo Clinic's
Cost Data Warehouse. The average cost for the hysteroscopic
sterilization was $2,314, versus $2,859 for the tubal ligation.
Dr. Famuyide expects that patients will be able to further
increase their savings by choosing hysteroscopic sterilization in
the future, as the procedure moves out of the hospital setting to
the physician's office.
Sources
Mayo Clinic News.
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