Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms--a cost analysis.

OBJECTIVESTo determine if endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms is cost effective when compared with conventional surgical treatment.DESIGNA retrospective study.SUBJECTSSeventeen patients treated between August 2002 and August 2003 had posterior communicating artery aneurysms. This group was selected for detailed analysis.OUTCOME MEASURESTotal treatment costs, in South African rands (R), were calculated for each patient. Average treatment costs for each group were then compared.RESULTSSurgically clipped and endovascularly coiled groups were comparable for age, sex and clinical condition. The average cost for endovascular treatment per patient was R37 041. Surgical treatment was more expensive at R44 104, a difference of 16%.CONCLUSIONSDespite the high cost of endovascular devices, appropriate use of this technology ultimately offers less expensive treatment than microsurgical clipping of aneurysms.