Cost analysis of oral and maxillofacial free flap reconstruction for patients at an institution in China

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2018

Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Author(s): Y. Yang, P.-j. Li, T. Shuai, Y. Wang, C. Mao, G.-y. Yu, C.-b. Guo, X. Peng

Abstract

Free flap transplantation has become a mainstay for the restoration of oral and maxillofacial defects. However, the complexity of the surgical procedure and long hospitalization time result in high hospitalization costs. This study was performed to retrospectively analyse the composition of hospitalization expenses and factors influencing this for 507 patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial free flap transplantation at a representative medical institution in China. The aim was to provide evidence for the reasonable control of expenditure and effective utilization of medical resources, and to gain an indirect reflection of the healthcare model characteristics of public hospitals in China. The average hospitalization cost was found to be US$ 9265 ± 2284. Factors affecting hospitalization expenses were the type of free flap, tracheotomy, postoperative complications, and length of stay. The largest proportion of hospitalization expenses was the cost of materials (44.94%). Although the total hospitalization cost was lower than that in Western countries, the medical burden of patients was higher, and the corresponding medical charges do not fully reflect the value of medical services. We recommend reducing hospitalization expenses and the medical burden by shortening the hospital stay, selecting reasonably priced medical materials, strengthening airway management of patients undergoing tracheotomy, and enhancing the control and treatment of comorbidities in order to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.

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