Infertility Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Infertility, including details on male and female infertility, treatment, causes, pregnancy.

The cost of out-patient culdoscopy compared to in-patient laparoscopy in women with infertility.

Khouri A, Magos A

Minimally Invasive Therapy Unit & Endoscopy Training Centre, University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London NW3 2QG, UK.

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a common procedure performed in many hospitals worldwide to investigate infertile women. However, morbidity and cost prevent it being considered a first-line diagnostic tool. If out-patient culdoscopy could replace in-patient laparoscopy then a major component of the cost of investigations could be avoided. We studied ten consecutive infertile patients who had laparoscopy under general anaesthesia and another ten patients who had culdoscopy under local anaesthesia in The One Stop Fertility Clinic (OSFC) in The Royal Free Hospital in London. The costs for each patient from both groups was calculated and compared. We found that out-patient investigation in an OSFC produced a saving of over 350 pounds sterling per case or 28% to the hospital compared with in-patient investigation. Although there were other factors which may influence the costs of out-patient culdoscopy, it did provide noticeable savings to the healthcare system.

Published 7 April 2005 in J Obstet Gynaecol, 25(2): 160-5.
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