[Is cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC adequately funded?]

Abstract

Background: Cytoreductive surgery followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is a treatment concept for highly selected patients with peritoneal metastases and primary tumors (PMT). A challenge from the perspective of hospitals is the cost intensity of this promising multimodal treatment option.

Research question: Which factors influence the cost and revenue structure of CRS/HIPEC treatment in the current diagnosis-related group (DRG) system according to § 17b of the German Hospital Financing Act (KHG)?

Material and methods: The database for this analysis was constituted by all patients treated with combined CRS/HIPEC at a certified tumor center between 2017 and 2021. The statistical analysis performed was descriptive, using two-sample and multisample comparisons (ANOVA) as well as linear correlation and regression analyses.

Results: The total length of hospitalization for 173 patients was on average 16.1 days and the average length of stay in the intensive care unit was 2.2 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 110 (63.6%) patients. The average DRG revenue obtained was € 21,658.48. The total costs for the combined CRS/HIPC treatment amounted to an average of € 23,764.77 and were therefore on average € 2106.29 (8.86%) higher than the DRG revenue granted for the treatment. The length of stay in the intensive care unit and the total length of hospitalization correlated positively with the treatment costs and DRG revenue.

Discussion: This study presents key factors influencing the cost and revenue structure of CRS/HIPEC and illustrates that this promising surgical treatment approach is relevantly underfunded by the German DRG system. A reform of the current DRG system with special consideration of highly complex oncological treatment concepts is therefore recommended.