Cost-Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Reconstruction Using Biological Mesh After Extralevator Abdominoperineal Resection for Rectal Cancer.
Rudolf van den Berg, Gijsbert D Musters, Cornelis Verhoef et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluated the cost-effectiveness of biological mesh reconstruction versus primary perineal closure after extralevator abdominoperineal resection in patients with low rectal cancer. Among 101 patients analyzed, mean total healthcare costs were higher in the mesh group (€57,991 vs €56,232; mean difference €1,571; p = 0.785), with no significant improvement in long-term patient outcomes.
Key findings
- Mean total healthcare costs were €57,991 for the mesh group compared to €56,232 for primary closure.
- The mean difference in costs was €1,571, with a 95% CI of -€9,840 to €12,981.
- No significant differences in quality-of-life gains were observed between the two groups over time.
Why it matters
Understanding the cost-effectiveness of surgical interventions is crucial for healthcare decision-making. This study highlights that while biological mesh reconstruction incurs higher costs, it does not yield better long-term outcomes, which is essential for resource allocation in surgical oncology.
What to keep in mind
The study sample size limited the precision of cost and subgroup estimates.