Examining the Safety and Cost of Risk-Reducing Salpingectomies as Prophylactic Treatment for Women Seeking Sterilization Who Are at Low to Moderate Risk for Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth among the most common cause of cancer deaths in women. There is evidence that the site of origin for the majority of the most serious form of ovarian cancers is the fallopian tube. There is growing consensus for risk-reducing salpingectomies (RRS) to be performed for women who are at moderate risk for developing ovarian cancer especially at a time of patient desired sterilization. A retrospective chart review to determine the safety and cost of risk-reducing salpingectomies in comparison to tubal ligations was performed using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project inpatient database from 2008-2012. Results showed no significant difference between each procedure for length of stay in days (95%CI -0.19, 0.79 p: 0.24) or intraoperative complications (OR 4.84 (95%CI 0.38, 60.9 p: 0.22)). There was a significant difference between the total charges associated with each procedure with tubal ligation having a mean cost of $2,227.21 (95%CI $403.2, $4051.10) and the bilateral salpingectomy procedure having a mean cost of $11,189.80 (95%CI $6,582.70, $15,796.80 p<0.001). The cost difference between the two procedures should shift the conversation towards the question of whether hospital billing and insurance coverage for bilateral salpingectomy without oophorectomy should be examined more closely in order to provide RRS as a prophylactic treatment for women at moderate risk for developing ovarian cancer seeking sterilization.