OBJECTIVES: The extended battery life of rechargeable devices for deep brain stimulation (DBS) significantly reduces the need for internal pulse generator (IPG) replacements, potentially resulting in long-term savings. We aimed to evaluate the economic impact of using rechargeable versus non-rechargeable devices in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) from a tertiary-hospital perspective over a 5-year time horizon.

METHODS: A cost analysis was developed to follow a hypothetical cohort of 35 patients capturing the initial implant and subsequent IPG replacements over time. The unit cost for insertion and replacement procedures was sourced from Spanish data and expressed in €2024. A scenario where 100% of patients use a non-rechargeable device was compared to a scenario where a rechargeable device is available and used by 25-100% of patients. For the rechargeable device, a 15-years longevity was assumed, while for the non-rechargeable device 4 years were considered. Long-term projections of the results were made by extending the time horizon up to 15 years and a deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the results. The model’s inputs were endorsed by a clinical expert.

RESULTS: Introducing the rechargeable device could reduce up to 1 IPG replacement per patient over 5 years, leading to potential savings of €12,651 per patient compared to a non-rechargeable device (€38,035 vs. €50,686). For the total patient cohort, the model suggested savings of €110,694, €221,388, €332,082, and €442,777 with 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% usage of the rechargeable device, respectively. These savings offset the higher initial investment once the first replacement of the non-rechargeable system is avoided. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the model’s robustness.

CONCLUSIONS: From a hospital perspective, using DBS rechargeable devices for eligible PD patients, could significantly reduce long-term treatment costs, while improving hospital efficiency.