Economic Impact of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology Procedures vs. Surgical Alternatives: A Cost Analysis

Purpose: Interventional radiology (IR) procedures are increasingly being used as less invasive alternatives to traditional surgeries, particularly for conditions such as liver cancer, uterine fibroids, and peripheral artery disease. While these procedures reduce recovery time and complication rates, their economic impact on healthcare systems requires further evaluation. To analyze the economic impact of common minimally invasive IR procedures compared to surgical alternatives, focusing on direct healthcare costs, length of hospital stay, and long-term financial savings for the healthcare system.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using publicly available data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) and Medicare claims from 2010 to 2020. The study included patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for liver cancer, uterine artery embolization (UAE) for fibroids, and angioplasty with stenting for peripheral artery disease (PAD). The costs of IR procedures were compared to traditional surgical treatments (e.g., hepatectomy, hysterectomy, and open bypass surgery). Variables included hospital costs, length of stay, complication rates, and 30-day readmission rates.

Results: The median hospital cost for TACE was $15,000, compared to $40,000 for hepatectomy (p < 0.001). UAE costs were significantly lower than hysterectomy ($10,500 vs. $19,000, p < 0.01), with shorter hospital stays (2 days vs. 5 days, p < 0.01). Angioplasty with stenting for PAD resulted in 40% lower hospital costs than open bypass surgery ($25,000 vs. $42,000, p < 0.001). Complication rates and 30-day readmission rates were also lower for IR procedures across all groups, leading to potential long-term savings in healthcare resources.

Conclusion: Minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures offer significant cost savings compared to surgical alternatives, both in terms of direct hospital costs and reduced complications and hospital stays. These findings support the broader adoption of IR procedures to enhance both clinical outcomes and economic efficiency in healthcare systems.