OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to determine the overall cost involving the surgical procedure for liver transplantation performed at the Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (HC/UFPE). METHODS: the authors analyzed the last four liver transplantation procedures performed at the mentioned hospital. Patients were classified according to the United Network for Organ Sharing Health Severity Index into class one, (two patients), class two (one patient); and class four (one patient). The parameters evaluated to determine the procedure costs were: hospitalization, operating room and monitoring equipment fees. Cost estimate was provided by the financial department of the hospital in July 2001; and comprised of oxygen fees, disposable material and medications, diagnostic tests and hemotherapy costs. The authors did not include cost analysis for procedure on donors, nor the cost of the medical, nursing and paramedics involved. RESULTS: the disposable materials items accounted for the leading cost parameters, reaching 48,5% of the overall cost, followed by hospitalization and medication fees with 17,9 % and 16,1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: the authors concluded that the average cost of a liver transplantation at the HC/UFPE in the period 1998-2001, was of R$22.184,00 reais (US$8.873,76; U$1,00 = R$2,50).
Liver transplantation; Health care cost; Hepatitis C
