Effects of nasal septum deviation and concha bullosa surgery on the frequency and financial burden of acute rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Nasal septum deviation/concha bullosa (DNS)/(CB) are known to be predisposing factors in the pathophysiology of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). However, the effects of surgical treatment of these pathologies on ARS have not been adequately investigated. AIMS: To reveal the effects of the surgical treatment of DNS and CB on the frequency of the ARS, the use of antibiotics (ABs), and the direct cost incurred. METHODS: Medical records of the patients who had undergone successful surgery for DNS/CB and were diagnosed with ARS in the preoperative and postoperative 3-year period were retrospectively analyzed. The average annual number of ARS examinations of the patients, the number of ABs prescribed, and prescription, examination, and total health system costs were compared. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (33 men (62%) and 20 women (38%)) were included in the study. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean annual number of examinations for ARS, the number of ABs prescribed, prescription, examination, and total health system costs (p < 0.05) in the postoperative period compared with the preoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The present study determined that successful surgeries performed in patients with DNS/CB resulted in a significant decrease in the average annual number of examinations performed for ARS, number of AB prescriptions, and prescription, examination, and total health system costs. With these results, it seems beneficial to direct patients to surgery within the framework of the health policies of countries to reduce the frequency and financial burden of ARS in DNS/CB patients.

Comparison of transnasal and transoral routes of microdebrider combined curettage adenoidectomy and assessment of endoscopy for residue: a randomized prospective study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency and locations of residual adenoid tissue in conventional curettage adenoidectomy (CA) via transnasal endoscopic examination at the end of the operation and to determine the most appropriate technique for residual adenoid tissue removal by transoral or transnasal microdebrider usage. METHODS: Sixty-three patients aged 4-12 years who were scheduled for CA were included in this randomized prospective study in a tertiary reference center. Patients who underwent CA had the endoscopic residual tissue exploration at the end of surgery. The amount and locations of residual tissue were recorded. Patients with > 20% residual tissue were divided into two groups according to randomization list for removing the residual tissue, depending on the use of transoral microdebrider (TOMD) and transnasal microdebrider (TNMD). Two procedures were compared in terms of duration, bleeding, pain, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) transfer time, and complications. RESULTS: Residual tissue was detected in 38 patients (60.2%). The most common location of residual tissue was peritubal area (41.3%). The TOMD group had lower surgical duration, blood loss, pain scores and shorter PACU transfer time (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p˂0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic exploration at the end of CA should be considered to avoid residual tissue retention. Furthermore, if residual tissue is present, the use of TOMD is easier, faster, and associated with lower morbidity than the use of TNMD.

Septoplasty: under general or sedation anesthesia. Which is more efficacious?

The objective of the study was to assess the more efficacious anesthesia method in septal surgery. The prospective study was conducted at an academic secondary referral center. A prospective chart review of 60 patients, between the ages of 16 and 65, who underwent septal surgery under general (GA) or sedation (SDA) anesthesia during 1-year period was done. Mean age of the patients was 44.30 ± 13.29. Patients were divided into two groups according to the anesthesia method: general (group 1) or sedation (group 2). Intraoperative hemodynamic variables, surgery time, intraoperative blood loss volume, length of hospital stay, postoperative vomiting and nausea, postoperative pain score according to the visual analog scale (VAS) and cost analysis of each method were compared. Thirty-six males and 24 females with a mean age 44.30 ± 13.29 were included to the study. Total operation time, operation time, intraoperative and postoperative bleeding volume, postoperative nausea and vomiting, duration of hospital stay after surgery, were better in group 2. Postoperative pain scores and patient satisfaction about surgery were not statistically different. Cost of anesthesia in group 1 per patient was $44.35 ± 10.81 and in group 2, $16.29 ± 11.88 (p < 0.01). Hospital stay after surgery was much longer in group 1 than group 2 (p < 0.01). Using SDA is better in many ways including cost-effectiveness than using GA for septoplasty operation.

Patient specific or routine preoperative workup in septoplasty: which one is cost-effective?

This study aimed at determining the limits of preoperative investigation and calculate estimated cost analysis in septoplasty with and without turbinate surgery. A retrospective chart review. The study was conducted at secondary referral center. A retrospective chart review of patients who have undergone septoplasty over a 1-year period was performed. The need for routine (battery testing) versus patient specific preoperative workup of 380 septoplasty patients was evaluated. Mean age of the patients was 31.5 ± 4.6. The patients were classified into three groups according to preoperative routine laboratory testing results: (1) normal group (2) abnormal group and (3) abnormal out of action limit group. Medical records were revaluated by an anesthesiologist and ear nose throat doctor according to preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines to calculate estimated possible costs in case of patient specific preoperative workup. Three hundred seventy-seven patients were within ASA 1 group and three patients were within ASA 2. According to preoperative battery testing results, 5.8% of the patients (n = 22) were in group 1, 93.4% (n = 355) were in group 2, 0.8% (n = 3) were in group 3. Surgery was postponed due to concomitant pathologies for about 44 days (10-180 days) in four patients (1.1%). Preoperative routine laboratory testing costs were calculated as $41.08 ± 6.69 (40.25-128.78) per patient. When medical records were reevaluated retrospectively, estimated cost per patient would be $8.91 ± 10.40 (7.18-79.91) if patient specific preoperative workup were done. Individual preoperative testing would save $12,226.78 annually and total cost would decrease from $15,612.41 to $3,385.62. (p = 0.001). Patient-specific preoperative workup is more cost effective than routine battery testing in septoplasty with and without turbinate surgery.