THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OF MANAGING METASTATIC BONE TUMOURS ON THE PROVISION OF TRAUMA SERVICES

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the financial implications of managing skeletal metastases in a tertiary hospital and explore its impact on the provision of acute care trauma services. Methods We identified 47 patients, surgically treated for skeletal metastases over one-year period. Data were collected on demographics, primary tumour, the bone involved, surgery performed, the type of prosthesis used, length of surgery, hospital stay and the exact indication for orthopaedic intervention. The cost incurred was calculated from the cost of the prosthesis implanted, the number of theatre-sessions utilised and the number of inpatient hospital days. Results The average age of patients was 68 years (SD 10). The most common primary tumours were myeloma and breast cancer (23% each) followed by prostrate cancer (11%). The neck of femur was involved in 36%, femoral shaft and spine in 21% each and humerus in 19%. Fifty-seven percent patients had fractures, 30% had impending fractures and 13% had symptoms suggesting spinal cord compression. A total of 26 theatre sessions were utilised in operating upon these patients (one every two weeks) and their total hospital stay was 848 days. The total cost incurred was £340,174 over a year which is roughly £7238 per patient. Conclusion Survival of patients with skeletal metastases is increasing and the true cost of managing them is under recognised and ever increasing. In our unit, one theatre session a fortnight and 2.3 bed days for the whole year were utilised in managing these patients. The opportunity cost forgone by utilising theatre sessions for tumour surgeries and the total cost of hospital stay and prostheses utilised should be taken into consideration when calculating tariffs. This financial burden on busy trauma units should be appropriately reimbursed to ensure high standards of care.