Background: Intestinal Transplantation (ITx) is the most expensive abdominal organ transplant. Detailed studies about exact costs and cost-effectiveness compared to home parenteral nutrition (HPN) therapy in chronic intestinal failure (CIF) are lacking. The aim is to provide an in-depth analysis of ITx costs and evaluate cost-effectiveness compared to HPN.
Methods: To calculate costs before and after ITx, costs were analyzed in 12 adult patients. To calculate costs of patients with uncomplicated CIF, 28 adult, stable HPN patients were studied. Total costs including surgery, admissions, diagnostics, HPN therapy, medication, and ambulatory care were included. Median (range) costs are given. Results: Costs prior to ITx were €69 160 (60 682-90 891) in year 2, and €104 146 (83 854-186 412) in year 1. After ITx, costs were €172 133 (122 483 -351 407) in the 1 st year, €40 619 (3 905 -113 154) in the 2 nd year, and dropped to €15 743 (4 408 -138 906) in the 3 rd year. In stable HPN patients, the costs were €83 402 (35 364 -169 146) in the 1 st year, €70 945 (31 955 -117 913) in the 2 nd year, and stabilized to €60 242 (29 161-238 136) in the 3 rd year.
Conclusion:ITx, although initially very expensive, is cost-effective compared to HPN in adults by year 4, and cost saving by year 5.