Australia's 10 most expensive surgeries
Transplants: $40,000-$150,000
No matter what organ you're considering, transplants are easily the most expensive surgery you can have. The amount of work involved transferring an organ from one body to another is immense, running close to $150,000 for a heart or liver. Even a single kidney will cost around $40,000 to install.
Surgery waiting list*: N/A
Coronary artery bypass graft: $44,000
This highly invasive surgery is used to improve blood flow to the heart. It involves grafting a healthy vein or artery to an existing blocked one, thus bypassing the blockage inside the vein or artery.
Surgery waiting list: 18 days
Spinal fusion: $42,000
Spinal fusion involves surgically joining together 2 or more bones in your spine, usually to treat chronic lower back pain caused by degenerated discs.
Surgery waiting list: N/A
Hip replacement: $25,000
A common procedure for older individuals, hip replacement involves removing an existing hip, usually due to arthritis or similar, and replacing it with an artificial hip instead. It's intended to relieve pain and aid easy movement.
Surgery waiting list: 120 days
Colorectal surgery: $25,000
This involves the removal of part or all of your colon or rectum. This can be prompted by disease or damage to your colon or rectum from something like cancer or Crohn's disease.
Surgery waiting list: N/A
Knee replacement: $23,000
Much like a hip replacement, knee replacement involves removing the knee joint and replacing it with an artificial one. It's intended to relieve pain and increase mobility, especially for people with conditions like arthritis.
Surgery waiting list: 223 days
Gallbladder surgery: $17,000
The gallbladder is a non-vital organ located in your abdomen. It can sometimes grow painful gallstones or develop other problems, necessitating its removal – usually through a small keyhole incision in your torso.
Surgery waiting list: N/A
Pacemaker insertion: $16,000
The heart works by pumping blood through your body, timing its contractions so that oxygenated blood is pumped to your muscles and tissues and deoxygenated blood flows to your lungs. A pacemaker uses electrical impulses to regulate your heart's rhythm and make sure it's functioning properly with its contractions.
Surgery waiting list: N/A
Angioplasty and stent insertion: $16,000
Angioplasty and stent insertions serve a similar purpose: They increase blood flow through your veins and arteries. In angioplasty, a small balloon is inserted and inflated to open up blood vessels. A stent is a small tube that is inserted in the vein or artery to ensure that it stays open.
Surgery waiting list: N/A
Prostatectomy: $16,000
Prostatectomy is the removal of the prostate. Whether necessitated by prostatitis or prostate cancer, this procedure seeks to negate a prostate condition by removing the organ from the body.
Surgery waiting list: 44 days
*All figures are for the longest median waiting times, for elective surgeries, in public hospitals for 2019-20 – the most recently available figures.
