Cost-benefit analysis of scrotal ultrasound in treatment of adolescents with varicocele.

PURPOSE: Varicoceles are a major cause of male factor infertility, although management of adolescent varicoceles is controversial. Most clinicians advocate repair if there is a persistent testicular size discrepancy of greater than 20%. Using previously published data, we performed a cost-benefit analysis of testicular ultrasound vs orchidometry to evaluate for this size difference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PubMed search using the terms "adolescent varicocele," "ultrasound and varicocele," and "testis size and varicocele." Using the data from the relevant studies and Medicare reimbursement data from our region, we determined the cost of missing a persistent testicular size difference of greater than 20%. RESULTS: Approximately 25% of adolescents with varicocele have a persistent size discrepancy of greater than 20%. Approximately 40% of this group would be identified as having a size discrepancy with conventional orchidometry. The annual cost of ultrasound for every adolescent male with a varicocele would be $364 million if the imaging were done in an office based setting. If the testing were done at a hospital, the annual cost would be $795 million. The cost per case of missed persistent size discrepancy spanning 3 years is approximately $5,597 for office ultrasound and $12,226 for hospital ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence that adolescent varicocele repair improves paternity in adulthood. In an era of increasing health care costs the expense of ultrasound to evaluate for size discrepancy is significant and should be thoughtfully evaluated.

Risk factors for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation has proposed a new grading system for primary graft dysfunction based on the ratio of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen measured within 48 hours after lung transplantation. Worsening primary graft dysfunction grade is associated with increased operative mortality rates and decreased long-term survival. This study evaluated donor and recipient risk factors for postoperative International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 3 primary graft dysfunction. METHODS: We reviewed donor and recipient medical records of 402 consecutive lung transplantations performed between 1992 and 2004. We calculated a worst International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation primary graft dysfunction grade in the first 48 hours postoperatively. Severe primary graft dysfunction (International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 3) was defined by a ratio of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen of less than 200. Associations of potential risk factors with grade 3 primary graft dysfunction in the first 48 hours postoperatively were examined through bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The 90-day mortality rate associated with the development of International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 3 primary graft dysfunction in the first 48 hours postoperatively was 17% versus 9% in the group without grade 3 primary graft dysfunction. Significant bivariate risk factors associated with this end point were increasing donor age, donor smoking history of more than 10 pack-years, early transplantation era (1992-1998), increasing preoperative recipient pulmonary artery pressure, and recipient diagnosis. In the multivariate analysis only recipient pulmonary artery pressure, donor age, and transplantation era were associated with grade 3 primary graft dysfunction in the first 48 hours postoperatively at a P value of less than .05. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of donor and recipient risk factors for severe primary graft dysfunction identified patient groups at high risk for poor outcomes after lung transplantation that might benefit from treatments aimed at reducing reperfusion injury.