Considering the cost of a simultaneous versus staged approach to resection of colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases in a publicly funded healthcare model

Background Simultaneous resection for colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases is an established alternative to a staged approach. This study aimed to compare these approaches with regards to economic parameters and short‐term outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted between 2005 and 2016. The primary outcome was cost per episode of care. Secondary measures included 30‐day clinical outcomes. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the adjusted effect of a simultaneous surgical approach on total cost of care. Results Fifty‐three cases were identified; 27 in the staged approach, and 26 in the simultaneous group. Age ( P  = 0.49), sex ( P  = 0.20), BMI ( P  = 0.74), and ASA class ( P  = 0.44) were comparable between groups. Total cost ($20297 vs $27522), OR ($6830 vs $10376), PACU ($675 vs $1182), ward ($7586 vs $11603) and pharmacy costs ($728 vs $1075) were significantly less for the simultaneous group ( P  < 0.05). The adjusted rate ratio for total cost of care in the staged group compared to simultaneous group was 1.51 (95%CI: 1.16‐1.97, P  < 0.05). The groups had comparable Clavien‐Dindo scores ( P  = 0.89), 30‐day readmissions ( P  = 0.44), morbidity ( P  = 0.50) and mortality ( P  = 1.00). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that a simultaneous approach is associated with a significantly lower total cost while maintaining comparable short‐term outcomes.