BACKGROUND: Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) corresponds to one of the most recent advances in treating bening and malignant rectal lesions. AIM: To determine the cost of TEM at the Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná, and compare it to the cost of a perineal-abdominal amputation of the rectum and of an anterior rectosigmoidectomy, therefore establishing cost-effective parameters with regards to the "Sistema Único de Saúde”. METHODS: Observational and prospective study pertaining cost evaluation of the three surgical procedures pointed above, focusing on laboratory expenses with drugs and hospitalization. Seventy four patients were included in the study, and of these 27 were submitted to TEM, 29 to anterior rectosigmoidectomy and 18 to perineal-abdominal amputation of the rectum. RESULTS: With regards to age, no significant statistical difference was observed. The group who underwent TEM presented the lowest admission period (5,51 days) when compared to the anterior rectosigmoidectomy (20,41) and to the perineal-abdominal amputation of the rectum (18,33). With regards to laboratory expenses, drug and hospital daily rates, significant statistical differences were observed between the three surgical procedures. The TEM group had the lowest cost, approximately 2.5 to four times smaller in the overall comparison (R$ 1,326.71 vs R$ 5,427.16 vs R$ 4,310.20 respectively). CONCLUSION: TEM advantages are evident through admission and hospital stay costs, with significant reduction when compared to conventional techniques.
Rectal neoplasms; Costs and cost analysis
