Cost saving by reloading the multiband ligator in endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation: A proposal for developing countries

Table 1 Cost savings after the first session in 76 patients who completed the eradication of varices. Cost is in US Dollars (1 US Dollar= 61 Pakistani Rupees)

	Reloaded band after first session	New six shooter used each time
Cost of EGD	91.8	91.8
Cost of bands/ligator	6.56	140.82
Cost of single follow up session	98.36	232.62
Cost of bands in 139 follow up session	911.47	19 573.93
Total cost of 139 follow-up sessions	13 672.13	32 334.59
Average cost savings per patient	245.56
Cost comparison	1	2.37
Overall cost saving	58%
Cost saving in band ligators	95%

Cost of EGD includes both the costs of the technical (i.e. equipment and facility costs) and professional fees.