Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is more cost-effective than laparoscopic Heller myotomy in the short term for achalasia: economic evaluation from a randomized controlled trial

Background and study aims We aimed to perform an economic evaluation of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) for the treatment of achalasia. Materials and methods An economic cost-utility analysis was carried out over a time horizon of 1 year. Patients with achalasia who were admitted to the gastroenterology outpatient clinic of a public tertiary referral hospital were assigned to undergo POEM or LHM. The monetary amounts were extracted from the intranet of the institution using microcosting. All costs associated with the procedure, hospitalization, clinical follow-up and resolution of therapeutic complications were included. The utility data were measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), which were estimated from the scores of a quality-of-life questionnaire. Results Forty patients (20 POEM patients and 20 LHM patients) were included. The final cost associated with POEM and LHM was US$2,619.19399.53 and US$1,696.44 +/- 412.21, respectively ( P<0.001). However, the QALYs in the POEM group (0.434 +/- 0.215 vs 0.332 +/- 0.222, P=0.397) were slightly higher than those in the LHM group.The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) suggested that an additional US$9,046.41/QALY gained was required when using POEM. Conclusion For the treatment of achalasia in the public health system, POEM appears to be more cost-effective than LHM in the short term.