A Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of Fistula Treatment in the Abdominal Region Using a New Integrated Fistula and Wound Management System

OBJECTIVE To evaluate wear time and costs of a new fistula and wound management system (FWMS) compared to standard fistula treatments. METHODS Data were collected from 22 patients with an abdominal fistula recruited from 5 sites in the United States. This economic evaluation was based on a cost-effectiveness analysis with wear time, material costs, and labor costs taken into account. RESULTS A longer wear time for each pouch as well as simpler handling by nurses amounted to an average lower cost of $83 per day of treatment with the FWMS. A large variation was observed in the collected data. However, the sensitivity analysis showed that 77% of patients achieved a cost reduction when changing to the FWMS. CONCLUSION The FWMS was less costly than traditional methods for managing abdominal fistula, probably due to longer wear time and less time spent on each pouching session.