COST COMPARISON OF FIBROID TREATMENT

Embolisation is a much less expensive procedure than surgery.  It requires no general anaesthetic and only a one night stay in hospital.  Hysterectomy or myomectomy requires a full anaesthetic and 6 to 14 days in hospital.

There is no standard HRG (Health Resource Group) NHS cost for embolisation at this time.   For comparison the HRG costs for non-surgical treatment of fibroids has been used, but this involves a 2-night hospital stay, whereas embolisation requires only a 1-night stay.

^(a)

 There are no direct cost comparison figures available from NHS hospitals at this time. 
The national average procedural costs produced by the Department of Health  - HRG (Health Resource Groups) - 2002

Hysterectomy/myomectomy £ £2,144 - £3,389 and an average length of stay of 5-10 days

[HRG code M07/08 Upper Genital Tract Major  & Major Complex Procedures]

Non-surgical treatment of fibroids £742 and an average length of stay of two days.

N.B. embolisation has just one night stay

[HRG code M14 Non-surgical Treatment Fibroids, Menstrual Disorders or Endometriosis]

[Data Source: Reference Costs 2002 publication, NHS Trust data].

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^(b)  

UK private sector costs (without doctors' fees) are approximately £3,700 for embolisation for a one night stay and over £5,000 for hysterectomy for a six night stay.

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^(c)

A number of cost comparisons have been carried out in the USA.

Embolisation                                           - $3,000 ^[37]

Abdominal hysterectomy                      - $9,000

Myomectomy                                          - $5,500 ^[2],[38]

However, these costs only take into account the initial procedural costs. 

Additional Hospital Costs - 

Hysterectomy 

•   Surgical repair of bladder                       - incidence 1-1.7% 

•   Surgical repair of urinary tract              - incidence 0.1-1.7% 

•   Surgical repair of bowel                          - incidence  0.5-5% 

There are approximately 25,000 additional hospital procedures for surgical treatment of fibroids [Dept of Health - Hospital Episode Statistics] 

Embolisation 

•   Subsequent hysterectomy                        - incidence 1-7% 

•   Evacuation of necrotic fibroid                   - incidence 5-7% 

  Additional Primary Care Costs 

Hysterectomy

HRT will be required for all women having ovaries removed and menopause is 5 years earlier after hysterectomy.

Depression is a common problem after hysterectomy requiring treatment.

Urinary incontinence

Embolisation

There are no known long term effects after embolisation requiring treatment.

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Last updated: 18 Apr 2004