A policy of day-case sinonasal surgery is safe, well tolerated and cost-effective.

OBJECTIVE: Practices vary regarding the timing of discharge after sinonasal surgery. This study aimed to examine the cost-effectiveness of same-day discharge compared to next-day discharge after sinonasal surgery. METHODS: A retrospective single-surgeon audit of sinonasal surgery over a 12-month period was performed. Demographic and clinical details, including distance travelled home, timing of discharge, hospital re-presentation, and complications, were collected and compared between the same-day discharge and next-day discharge groups. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were identified; 117 underwent day-case surgery, of which 6 re-presented to the emergency department. Sixty-four patients stayed overnight after surgery, and six of those patients re-presented to the emergency department. The per patient cost was $3262 for day-case sinonasal surgery and $5050 for those admitted overnight after surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Routine same-day discharge after sinonasal surgery is achievable, safe and cost-effective.

Impact of Sinus Surgery on Hospital Utilization for Complications of Sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Sinusitis complications are potentially lethal conditions that generally require extensive treatment and thus place a significant burden on the health-care system. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of surgery on hospital utilization associated with treatment of sinusitis complications. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using a national hospital database. The 2012 to 2013 National Inpatient Sample was queried for adult patients with sinusitis and complications. Patients were grouped based upon the presence or absence of sinus procedures. Patient demographics and health status, hospital characteristics, length of stay (LOS), and charges were determined. RESULTS: Of 1645 patients with sinusitis and associated complications, 232 (14%) underwent sinus procedures. These patients had higher LOS (8.0 ± 7.3 days vs 4.3 ± 5.2 days; P < .001) and charges (US$96 107 ± 108 089 vs US$30 661 ± 47 138; P < .001) than nonprocedure patients. Increased time to procedure in one operation patients (n = 209) of more than 2 days increased total LOS (11.4 ± 9.3 days vs 6.2 ± 5.5 days; P < .001) and charges (US$120 306 ± 112 748 vs US$76 923 ± 81 185; P = .005). Patients with multiple sinus procedures (n = 23) versus one had increased LOS and charges, despite no time difference from admission to first procedure (P = .35). On regression analysis, sinus procedure patients had excess LOS of 0.827 days and charges of US$36 949. CONCLUSION: Although often necessary, sinus procedures lead to increased LOS and charges. As prolonged time to sinus procedure and revision operations also increase charges, shorter trials of medical therapy and earlier surgical intervention may improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Cost and operative time estimation itemized by component procedures of endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is a variable combination of individual procedures. Cost estimates for ESS as a single entity have wide variation, likely influenced by variation in procedures performed. We sought to identify operative time, supply costs, and total procedure cost specific to the component procedure combinations comprising ESS. METHODS: Bilateral ESS cases at 13 Intermountain Healthcare facilities (2008 to 2016) were identified from a database with corresponding cost and time data. Procedure details were obtained by chart review. Least-squares (LS) means of cost (in 2016 US dollars) and time for specific procedures were obtained by multivariable gamma regression models. RESULTS: Among 1477 bilateral ESS cases with 19 different procedure combinations, operative time ranged from 59.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 48.6-73.0) minutes for total ethmoid to 147.1 (95% CI, 126.4-171.2) minutes for full ESS with maxillary and sphenoid tissue removal. Sphenoidotomy had lowest total and supply costs (in US dollars) of $2112 (95% CI, $1672-$2667) and $636 (95% CI, $389-$1040), respectively. Total cost was highest for full ESS with maxillary tissue removal at $4640 (95% CI, $4115-$5232). Supply cost was highest for full ESS with maxillary and sphenoid tissue removal at $2191 (95% CI, $1649-$2909). CONCLUSION: Operative time and costs for ESS vary depending on the procedures performed, demonstrating the importance of procedure specificity in assessment of ESS time, cost, and, ultimately, value. These procedure-specific estimates of cost enable nonbinary valuation of ESS, appropriate for the multitude of procedure options intended to optimize individual outcomes.

Septoplasty versus non-surgical management for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum in adults: A modelling study of cost-effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to demonstrate how decision-analytic modelling can help to determine circumstances under which surgery may become cost-effective, using septoplasty as an example. DESIGN: We developed a decision-analytic model comparing septoplasty to non-surgical management for nasal obstruction in adults with a deviated septum. Based on the estimated cost difference between both treatments, we calculated the minimal (a) gain in quality-adjusted life-years, or (b) reduction in productivity losses needed for septoplasty to be cost-effective. Input was derived from literature and publicly available data sources. The time horizon of our model was one year, and the willingness-to-pay per quality-adjusted life-year was €20 000, in accordance with current guidelines. RESULTS: The cost difference between septoplasty and non-surgical management for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum was €2227 per patient from a healthcare perspective (including direct healthcare costs) and €3288 per patient from an extended perspective (additionally including travel expenses and productivity losses due to poor health). In comparison with non-surgical management, septoplasty needed to gain 0.11 to 0.16 QALYs or save 13 sick days for nasal obstruction. The longer septoplasty's effect lasts, the more time it will have to compensate its extra costs. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the known cost difference between treatments can be used as the starting point to determine beneficial effects needed for cost-effectiveness of surgical interventions. The effect required by septoplasty from a healthcare perspective seems potentially achievable, meaning that it would be useful to perform an RCT assessing the actual benefits of septoplasty.

The impact of asthma on the cost effectiveness of surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of asthma on the cost-effectiveness profile of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) compared to medical therapy for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). METHODS: The study design consisted of a cohort-style Markov decision-tree cost utility analysis with a 35-year time horizon. Matched cohorts of CRSwNP patients with (n = 95) and without (n = 95) asthma who underwent ESS were compared with cohorts of patients from the national Medical Expenditures Survey Panel (MEPS) database who underwent medical management for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Baseline, 1-year, and 2-year health utility values were calculated from responses to the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) instrument in both cohorts. The primary outcome measure was the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) for each cohort. RESULTS: The reference cases for CRSwNP patients with and without asthma yielded ICERs for ESS vs medical therapy alone of $12,066 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and $7,369 per QALY, respectively. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY, the ICER scatter plots demonstrated 86% and 99% certainty that the ESS strategy was the most cost-effective option for CRSwNP patients with and without asthma, respectively. ESS was not significantly more cost effective for CRSwNP patients without asthma (p = 0.494). CONCLUSION: ESS remains cost effective compared to medical therapy for patients both with and without asthma. While the comorbidity of asthma results in an inferior ICER result, it does not result in a statistically significant negative impact on the overall cost effectiveness of ESS.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of nasal surgery to increase continuous positive airway pressure adherence in sleep apnea patients with nasal obstruction.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Nasal surgery has been implicated to improve continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nasal obstruction. However, the cost-effectiveness of nasal surgery to improve CPAP compliance is not known. We modeled the cost-effectiveness of two types of nasal surgery versus no surgery in patients with OSA and nasal obstruction undergoing CPAP therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness decision tree model. METHODS: We built a decision tree model to identify conditions under which nasal surgery would be cost-effective to improve CPAP adherence over the standard of care. We compared turbinate reduction and septoplasty to nonsurgical treatment over varied time horizons from a third-party payer perspective. We included variables for cost of untreated OSA, surgical cost and complications, improved compliance postoperatively, and quality of life. RESULTS: Our study identified nasal surgery as a cost-effective strategy to improve compliance of OSA patients using CPAP across a range of plausible model assumptions regarding the cost of untreated OSA, the probability of adherence improvement, and a chronic time horizon. The relatively lower surgical cost of turbinate reduction made it more cost-effective at earlier time horizons, whereas septoplasty became cost-effective after a longer timespan. CONCLUSIONS: Across a range of plausible values in a clinically relevant decision model, nasal surgery is a cost-effective strategy to improve CPAP compliance in OSA patients with nasal obstruction. Our results suggest that OSA patients with nasal obstruction who struggle with CPAP therapy compliance should undergo evaluation for nasal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c Laryngoscope, 127:977-983, 2017.

Surgeon and hospital cost variability for septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction.

BACKGROUND: Septoplasty and turbinate reduction (STR) is a common procedure for which cost reduction efforts may improve value. The purpose of this study was to identify sources of variation in medical facility and surgeon costs associated with STR, and whether these costs correlated with short-term complications. METHODS: An observational cohort study was performed in a multifacility network using a standardized cost-accounting system to determine costs associated with adult STR from January 1, 2008 to July 31, 2015. A total of 4007 cases, performed at 21 facilities, by 72 different surgeons were included in the study. Total costs, variable costs, operating room (OR) time, and 30-day complications (eg, epistaxis) were compared among surgeons, facilities, and specialties. RESULTS: Total procedure cost: (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) $2503 ± $790 (range, $852 to $10,559). Mean total variable cost: $1147 ± $423 (range, $400 to $5,081). Intersurgeon and interfacility variability was significant for total cost (p < 0.0001) and OR time (p < 0.0001). Intersurgeon OR supply cost variability was also significant (p < 0.0001). Otolaryngologists had less total cost (p < 0.0001), OR time/cost (p < 0.0001), and complications (p = 0.0164), but greater supply cost (p < 0.0001), than other specialties. CONCLUSION: There is wide variation in cost associated with STR. Significant variance in OR time and supply cost between surgeons suggests these are potential areas for cost reduction. Although no increased 30-day complications were seen with faster and less costly surgeries, further research is needed to evaluate how time and cost relate to quality of care.

Cost-effectiveness of Corticosteroid Nasal Spray vs Surgical Therapy in Patients With Severe to Extreme Anatomical Nasal Obstruction.

IMPORTANCE: Health insurance companies commonly require a trial of corticosteroid nasal spray prior to authorizing nasal surgery, even in patients with severe to extreme anatomical nasal obstruction, despite lack of data supporting such medical therapy. OBJECTIVES: To provide a model for the comparative analysis of medical vs surgical treatment for nasal obstruction to help maximize health care benefit per dollar spent and to explore the cost-effectiveness of corticosteroid nasal spray in patients with severe to extreme nasal airway obstruction on Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cost-efficiency frontier economic evaluation was performed. The economic perspective was that of the health care third-party payer. Effectiveness data were obtained from NOSE score questionnaires in 179 patients. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was determined from the cost and efficacy data. Comparative treatment groups were medical therapy with corticosteroid nasal spray vs surgical therapy for nasal airway obstruction. The study was conducted between January 1, 2011, and December 30, 2013. The time horizon included 1, 2, and 5 years. Data analysis was completed June 1, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). A modified Markov decision tree model was used. Costs were obtained from the Medicare 2015 physician fee schedule, and the mean was determined (owing to geographic disparity) along with wholesale and generic pharmaceutical pricing. RESULTS: Among 100 men and 79 women evaluated (mean [SD] age, 37.9 [12.9] years), surgical repair of severe nasal airway obstruction cost $6537 and produced a total of 1.15 QALYs at 1 year. Medical treatment involved a trial of corticosteroid nasal sprays, which cost $520 and produced a total of 1.03 QALYs. The surgical approach was markedly more effective but at greater short-term cost. In cases of extreme nasal obstruction, medical treatment cost $520.73 with 1.004 QALYs, demonstrating an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $354 693 per QALY compared with no treatment. Conversely, surgical treatment cost $6536.64 and produced 1.136 QALYs, with an ICER of $45 633 compared with medical therapy. At 5 years, the ICER decreased from $45 634 to $8110 per QALY for surgical treatment of extreme nasal obstruction. The medical treatment ICER decreased from $354 693 per QALY at 1 year to $273 704 per QALY at 5 years. An ICER was performed and demonstrated a cost threshold of $50 554 per QALY for surgical treatment compared with $67 518 per QALY for medical treatment at 1 year for severe nasal obstruction. If the evaluation is extended to 5 years, surgical treatment cost $8984 per QALY compared with $52 571 per QALY for medical treatment. Owing to the improved effectiveness outcomes, greater cost savings per ICER was demonstrated in patients with extreme nasal obstruction. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Surgical treatment for patients with severe to extreme anatomical nasal obstruction demonstrates increased short-term expense but is cost-effective in the long term. These data suggest that treatment with corticosteroid nasal spray in patients with documented severe to extreme anatomical nasal obstruction is unnecessary and results in a delay in treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

When do the risks of repeated courses of corticosteroids exceed the risks of surgery?

BACKGROUND: The management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) becomes unclear when patients require multiple courses of corticosteroids to maintain quality of life. Repeated courses of corticosteroids carry increased risks to patients. Although endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is an effective therapeutic modality, it also carries inherent risks. This study aims to identify the threshold at which the risks of repeated courses of corticosteroid exceed the risks of surgery. METHODS: An evidence-based risk analysis was simulated using literature-reported complication rates, quality of life changes, and Medicare costs. Simulations were performed from the Medicare patient perspective, societal perspective, and the universal healthcare patient perspective. RESULTS: All 3 simulations demonstrate a breakeven threshold favoring surgery over medical therapy when patients require oral corticosteroids (OCS) more often than once every 2 years in CRSwNP, once per year in CRSwNP/asthma, or twice per year for Samter's triad patients. CONCLUSION: This represents the first rationalized evidence-based analysis for when surgery should be considered in place of repeated courses of oral corticosteroids. This threshold provides a guide for otolaryngologists to use when making clinical decisions with patients.

Pathological review of turbinate tissue from functional nasal surgery: incurring costs without adding quality.

OBJECTIVE: Inferior turbinate surgery for nasal obstruction can be performed in a variety of ways. Only a few of these methods produce tissue that can be sent for pathologic analysis. According to the College of American Pathologists, turbinate tissues are not exempt from requisite pathologic evaluation. Our objectives were to evaluate the clinical value and cost implications of routine pathological examination of turbinate specimens. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Charts of patients who underwent an inferior turbinate procedure for nasal obstruction between January 2008 and August 2011 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirteen hundred consecutive cases from 17 surgeons were identified. Among these patients, 223 (17%) underwent an isolated turbinate reduction procedure and 779 (59%) underwent a reduction procedure in conjunction with a septoplasty. The remaining patients had a turbinate procedure in addition to another head and neck procedure. Only 591 (45%) turbinate reduction procedures were performed by methods that were tissue producing, and of these, 137 (23%) were sent for pathologic analysis. All submitted specimens received a gross examination and 123 (90%) also underwent histologic analysis. No abnormalities were reported. CONCLUSION: At our institution, most surgeons did not submit turbinate tissues for pathologic examination even when a specimen was produced. Of the specimens sent, no abnormal pathologic results were identified. Our results suggest that routine pathologic evaluation of inferior turbinate specimens may not contribute to patient care and perhaps represents an unnecessary cost.

[One-step rhinootosurgery. Clinical, economic and social aspects].

The objective of this work was to estimate from the clinical, economic, and social standpoints the efficacy of medical aid provided to the patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and concomitant pathology of the nasal cavity by means of the one-step surgical intervention. The study included a total of 208 patients presenting with CSOM of whom 108 ones were treated by the traditional multistage method and the remaining 108 by simultaneous rhinootosurgery. The latter approach was shown to be much more efficacious in terms of clinical, economic, and social considerations.