Cost–benefit of reflectance confocal microscopy in the diagnostic performance of melanoma

• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.13408
• Publication Date: 2015-10-08T04:02:45Z
• Authors: G. Pellacani; A. Witkowski; A.M. Cesinaro; A. Losi; G.L. Colombo; A. Campagna; C. Longo; S. Piana; N. De Carvalho; F. Giusti; F. Farnetani
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; Microscopy, Confocal; Skin Neoplasms; 0302 clinical medicine; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Humans; Dermoscopy; Dermatology; Melanoma; Retrospective Studies; 3. Good health

Abstract Background The sub‐optimal diagnostic accuracy for melanoma leads to excise a high number of benign lesions, with consequent costs. Reflectance confocal microscopy ( RCM ) improves specificity, thus possibly inducing reduction in unnecessary excisions and related Objective To estimate the influence on lesions needed NNE melanoma, term clinical outcomes costs per patient. Patients Methods Skin neoplasms excised by dermatology public service Province Modena were retrieved form centralized pathology database. Differences between territorial (using dermoscopy only) University Hospital (adding also patients’ workflow) calculated cost analysis was performed through micro‐costing approach. Results A large at evident, leading 6.25 Hospital, compared 19.41 Territorial Dermatology. Since 4320 can be saved every million inhabitants, an overall yearly saving over 280,000 Eur expected from use . Conclusions systematic dramatically affecting excised, this translated significant cost–benefit advantage.