最高收费21万元！阿尔茨海默病手术被叫停背后：全国已做上千例 监管真空下医院借“创新治疗”之名收费

Core Viewpoint - The National Health Commission of China has banned the use of "Lymphatic-Venous Anastomosis (LVA)" for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease due to a lack of long-term, statistically significant safety and efficacy data [1][2][15]. Group 1: Background of LVA Surgery - LVA surgery is not a new procedure; it was originally developed in the late 20th century for treating lymphatic diseases like lymphedema [2][12]. - The application of LVA for Alzheimer's treatment began in 2018 by Dr. Xie Qingping, leading to its widespread adoption in various medical institutions [2][12]. - Prior to the ban, over a hundred hospitals had been performing LVA surgeries, with total cases exceeding a thousand [7][12]. Group 2: Financial Aspects and Demand - The cost of LVA surgery ranges from tens of thousands to over 210,000 yuan, with many hospitals charging between 20,000 to 50,000 yuan [12][9]. - The financial burden of long-term care for Alzheimer's patients often makes LVA surgery an attractive option for families, as it can be more cost-effective compared to ongoing care [12][9]. - Hospitals have been motivated to promote LVA surgery due to the potential for significant revenue generation, especially in light of financial struggles faced by many medical institutions [12][13]. Group 3: Regulatory and Clinical Concerns - The rapid promotion of LVA surgery occurred in a regulatory vacuum, with many institutions conducting the procedure without sufficient clinical trial data to support its safety and efficacy [14][15]. - The National Health Commission's ban highlights the need for rigorous clinical trials and ethical guidelines for new treatments, as many hospitals had been charging for a procedure that lacked proper validation [15][16]. - There are currently only 12 registered clinical trials for LVA surgery in Alzheimer's treatment, indicating a significant gap in clinical research [15][16].