Determining the Cost of Incidental Findings for Patients Undergoing Preoperative Planning for Abdominally Based Perforator Free Flap Breast Reconstruction with Computed Tomographic Angiography

BACKGROUND: Computed tomographic angiography is increasingly used during surgical planning for abdominally based microvascular breast reconstruction. Cost-analysis studies have demonstrated a benefit to the use of computed tomographic angiography, although the secondary costs of incidental findings have not been previously reported. This study investigates the cost of computed tomographic angiography, taking into account the cost of incidental findings found during imaging. METHODS: Patients undergoing preoperative computed tomographic angiography in preparation for autologous abdominally based breast reconstruction from July of 2010 through May of 2014 were included in this study. Patient medical records were reviewed for imaging findings, need for follow-up, and any additional procedures. Costs were determined using the publicly available Healthcare Bluebook. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients underwent computed tomographic angiography in preparation for abdominally based microvascular breast reconstruction. Twenty-eight patients (21 percent) were noted to have clinically significant incidental findings recommended for follow-up imaging or procedures. Inclusion of chest imaging with computed tomographic angiography of the abdomen/pelvis to assess for internal mammary and/or thoracodorsal artery patency increased the incidental findings approximately five-fold. The mean cost of computed tomographic angiography increased by 32 percent, from $1267 to $1677 per patient, when incidental findings were included. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography angiography is a tool for the preoperative evaluation of patients desiring autologous breast reconstruction. The true cost of preoperative computed tomographic angiography is likely 30 percent greater than the baseline cost when the subsequent evaluation of incidental findings is included and should be accounted for in future cost-analysis studies.