Comparison of costs of staged versus simultaneous lower extremity arterial hybrid procedures

Background Hybrid procedures combine endovascular and open surgical techniques. We examined utilization rates and ways of performing them more efficiently. Methods Hybrids were selected using codes for femoral endarterectomy, infrainguinal, or aorto-iliac-femoral bypass and angioplasty from Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, then categorized as staged, or performed on the same day. Outcomes included utilization rates, total hospital charges, and length of stay (LOS). Confounders of charges and LOS were identified and excluded from final comparisons. Results Utilization increased 7% from 2000 to 2004. Univariate associations linked staging to variables included in linear regressions for hospital charges and LOS. Excluding identified confounders from the final subgroup analysis still showed large differences in charges (same-day = $34,206, staged = $60,087) and LOS (same-day = 3 days, staged = 7 days). Conclusions Utilization of hybrids is increasing. Performing hybrids on the same day, if possible, greatly reduces hospital charges and LOS, emphasizing preadmission planning and simultaneous coordination of both portions.