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Maurizio Marchesini,1 Michela D’Antò,2 Rosanna Accardo,1 Marika Aprea,3 Giuseppe D’Agostino,2 Maria Romano,4 Vittorio Santoriello,4 Gilda Pasta,1 Francesca Bifulco,1 Arturo Cuomo1 1UTI/ICU Department, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy; 2Clinical Engineering Department, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy; 3UTI/ICU Department, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy; 4Faculty of Clinical Engineering, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, ItalyCorrespondence: Giuseppe D’Agostino, Clinical Engineering Department, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy, Email giuseppe.dagostino@istitutotumori.na.itPurpose: One lung ventilation (OLV) is essential in thoracic surgery to isolate and ventilate a single lung, ensuring optimal surgical exposure and patient safety. Precise placement of a double lumen tube (DLT) is critical and conventionally confirmed via reusable bronchoscopy.Patients and Methods: We evaluated the economic and organisational impact of introducing VivaSightDLT—an endobronchial tube with an integrated camera—at Fondazione G. Pascale (Naples). Data from 50 patients were reviewed to compare device efficacy and positioning accuracy. Cost data from the Institute’s management control informed a cost minimization analysis (CMA) and cost comparison analysis (CCA), projecting financial outcomes over 1, 3, and 5 years, based on an annual thoracic surgery volume of 400 cases (328 eligible for VivaSightDLT).Results: Although the per unit cost of VivaSightDLT exceeds that of the conventional DLT, mean savings per procedure were € 86.36. When additional intraoperative bronchoscopic checks were required, savings increased to € 193.89 per case. Net savings of € 16,728.54 at 1 year, € 50,185.62 at 3 years, and € 83,642.70 at 5 years (15% reduction in direct variable costs) were projected. Full replacement of conventional DLTs would yield a 41% reduction in direct variable costs (€ 33,457.08, € 100,371.25, and € 167,285.41 over 1, 3, and 5 ... |