Economic evaluation of a single use flexible digital ureteroscope: cost analysis

Abstract Background The goal of our study is to analyze the possible economic benefits of single-use flexible ureteroscopes (su-fURSs) and compare their cost effectiveness with that of reusable flexible ureteroscopes (re-fURSs) in secondary hospitals with an average patient flow rate. Methods The present study is a single-center, retrospective study conducted at Security Force Hospital, Makkah, Saudia Arabia. The study included data from all flexible ureteroscopy procedures performed in the urology department of the hospitals between June 2021 and December 2023. Karl Storz FLEX-X2S fiber-optic ureteroscopes were used for the procedures involving re-fURS, and the cost assessment took into account the initial cost of purchasing, the cost of reprocessing, and the cost of replacement split by the number of cases. This cost was compared with the costs of using WiScope (OTU Medical Inc.), a digital su-fURS. Results Out of the total cases included in the study, 180 utilized su-fURSs, and 59 utilized re-fURSs with one repair exchange done during the observed study period. The average cost of using a re-fURS was approximately SAR 3668 (USD 975) per case, while the cost of using a su-fURS was approximately SAR 1650 (USD 438) per case. Conclusions Su-fURS is a more cost-effective procedure than re-fURS performed in secondary hospitals with an average patient flow. Su-fURS may be more reliable than re-fURS regarding wear and tear. It is essential to consider different factors such as the cost of sterilization and the time spent in cleaning when determining which scope is most cost-effective for a particular procedure.