ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The stage of discovery and treatment of kidney cancer have changed. Partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment for small renal masses (SRM). Also are recommended the thermal ablative techniques. The cost of these treatments for the establishment and society is often unclear. The purpose of this study was to calculate the cost of treatment of SRM in order to assess the profitability for a health institution that invests in innovation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted with 124 patients treated for SMR (T1a) by open partial nephrectomy (OPN), laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (LRPN), radio frequency (RF) and cryotherapy (CT) between 2009 and 2011. We calculated the price of stay of each patient, searched the amount billed to health insurance and calculated the profitability of treatment for the establishment. RESULTS: The OPN cost on average 7884±1201 and reported 451±1861, the LPN cost on average 6973±3503 and reported 2271±3370, the cost of the LRPN was on average 9600±4595 and resulted in a deficit of 838±3007. The radiofrequency cost on average 2724±813 and caused a deficit of 954±684, cryotherapy cost on average 6702±857 and resulted in a deficit of 4723±941. CONCLUSION: According to current repayment terms, the LPN was the treatment of SRM that offered the best profitability.
