Costs of Lower Limb Varicose Vein Surgery Calculated by Using Opera Master System^TM

Abstract

In Japan, the surgical fee of lower limb varicose vein is covered by national insurance. However, little is known about the appropiety of this officially fixed fee about this surgery. Costs of 61 cases of varicose vein surgery (45 cases stripping surgery and 16 cases high ligation surgery) were calculated by using Opera Master System^TM (Hogy Medical^®). In cases of stripping surgery, the average cost was 87,279 yen and the average national return was 166,208 yen, leading to 78,929 yen gain to hospital per case. However, in cases of high ligation surgery, the cost was 40,126 yen and return was 35,968 yen, showing a loss for the hospital. Labor costs and depreciation costs are different in each hospital, in conclusion, it is not said too much that the official fixed fee of high ligation surgery is too low compared as its cost by this calculation.