[Outpatient care in pulmonology - a scientific analysis and a position paper of the German Society of Respiratory Medicine (DGP)]. / Ambulantisierung in der Pneumologie ­ eine wissenschaftliche Analyse und ein Positionspapier der DGP.

INTRODUCTION: The ambulantization of patient care that were previously provided as inpatient service is one of the goals of the current reform in the German healthcare system. In pulmonology, this particularly applies to endoscopic procedures. However, the real costs of endoscopic services, which form the basis for the calculation of a future so called hybrid DRG or in the AOP catalog, are unclear. METHODS: After selection of use cases including endoscopic procedures which can be performed on an outpatient basis by a committee of experts the appropriate DRGs were identified from the §â€Š21-KHEntgG data for 2022 published by the Institute for the Hospital Remuneration System (InEK). The costs were calculated from the respective InEK cost matrix added by the calculated material costs. RESULTS: The use cases suitable for outpatient treatment were systematic endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) with transbronchial needle aspiration (calculated costs €â€Š2,175.60 without or €â€Š3,315.60 including PET/CT), navigation-assisted bronchoscopy for peripheral lesions (depending on the methodology €â€Š2,870.23 to €4,120.23) and diagnostic (flexible) bronchoscopy (€â€Š1,121.02). CONCLUSION: Outpatient treatment of endoscopic procedures that were previously performed inpatient is possible and necessary, and the costs calculated in this publication can form a reliable basis for appropriate reimbursement. Together with a structural quality that has been transformed to outpatient service and cross-sector cooperation, continued high-quality care for pneumological patients can be ensured.

A bronchial-airway gene-expression classifier to improve the diagnosis of lung cancer: Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Bronchoscopy is the safest procedure for lung cancer diagnosis when an invasive evaluation is required after imaging procedures. However, its sensitivity is relatively low, especially for small and peripheral lesions. We assessed benefits and costs of introducing a bronchial gene-expression classifier (BGC) to improve the performance of bronchoscopy and the overall diagnostic process for early detection of lung cancer. We used discrete-event simulation to compare clinical and economic outcomes of two different strategies with the standard practice in former and current smokers with indeterminate nodules: (i) location-based strategy-integrated the BGC to the bronchoscopy indication; (ii) simplified strategy-extended use of bronchoscopy plus BGC also on small and peripheral lesions. Outcomes modeled were rate of invasive procedures, quality-adjusted-life-years (QALYs), costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Compared to the standard practice, the location-based strategy (i) reduced absolute rate of invasive procedures by 3.3% without increasing costs at the current BGC market price. It resulted in savings when the BGC price was less than $3,000. The simplified strategy (ii) reduced absolute rate of invasive procedures by 10% and improved quality-adjusted life expectancy, producing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $10,109 per QALY. In patients with indeterminate nodules, both BGC strategies reduced unnecessary invasive procedures at high risk of adverse events. Moreover, compared to the standard practice, the simplified use of BGC for central and peripheral lesions resulted in larger QALYs gains at acceptable cost. The location-based is cost-saving if the price of classifier declines.

A systematic review and cost effectiveness analysis of reusable vs. single-use flexible bronchoscopes.

The cost effectiveness of reusable vs. single-use flexible bronchoscopy in the peri-operative setting has yet to be determined. We therefore aimed to determine this and hypothesised that single-use flexible bronchoscopes are cost effective compared with reusable flexible bronchoscopes. We conducted a systematic review of the literature, seeking all reports of cross-contamination or infection following reusable bronchoscope use in any clinical setting. We calculated the incidence of these outcomes and then determined the cost per patient of treating clinical consequences of bronchoscope-induced infection. We also performed a micro-costing analysis to quantify the economics of reusable flexible bronchoscopes in the peri-operative setting from a high-throughput tertiary centre. This produced an accurate estimate of the cost per use of reusable flexible bronchoscopes. We then performed a cost effectiveness analysis, combining the data obtained from the systematic review and micro-costing analysis. We included 16 studies, with a reported incidence of cross-contamination or infection of 2.8%. In the micro-costing analysis, the total cost per use of a reusable flexible bronchoscope was calculated to be £249 sterling. The cost per use of a single-use flexible bronchoscope was £220 sterling. The cost effectiveness analysis demonstrated that reusable flexible bronchoscopes have a cost per patient use of £511 sterling due to the costs of treatment of infection. The findings from this study suggest benefits from the use of single-use flexible bronchoscopes in terms of cost effectiveness, cross-contamination and resource utilisation.

Implementing Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided (EBUS) for Staging and Diagnosis of Lung Cancer: A Cost Analysis.

BACKGROUND Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and guide sheath (EBUS-GS) are gaining popularity for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer compared to CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration (CT-TTNA), blind fiber-optic bronchoscopy, and mediastinoscopy. This paper aimed to examine predictors of higher costs for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, and to assess the effect of EBUS techniques on hospital cost. MATERIAL AND METHODS Hospital costs for diagnosis and staging of new primary lung cancer patients presenting in 2007-2008 and 2010-2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Multiple linear regression was used to determine relationships with hospital cost. RESULTS We reviewed 560 lung cancer patient records; 100 EBUS procedures were performed on 90 patients. Higher hospital costs were associated with: EBUS-TBNA performed (p<0.0001); increasing inpatient length of stay (p<0.0001); increasing number of other surgical/diagnostic procedures (p<0.0001); whether the date of management decision fell within an inpatient visit (p<0.0001); and if the patient did not have a CT-TTNA, then costs increased as the number of imaging events increased (interaction p<0.0001). Cohort was not significantly related to cost. Location of the procedure (outside vs. inside theater) was a predictor of lower one-day EBUS costs (p<0.0001). Cost modelling revealed potential cost saving of $1506 per EBUS patient if all EBUS procedures were performed outside rather than in the theater ($66,259 per annum). CONCLUSIONS EBUS-TBNA only was an independent predictor of higher cost for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Performing EBUS outside compared to in the theater may lower costs for one-day procedures; potential future savings are considerable if more EBUS procedures could be performed outside the operating theater.

Decision Support for the Capacity Management of Bronchoscopy Devices: Optimizing the Cost-Efficient Mix of Reusable and Single-Use Devices Through Mathematical Modeling.

BACKGROUND: Increasing costs of material resources challenge hospitals to stay profitable. Particularly in anesthesia departments and intensive care units, bronchoscopes are used for various indications. Inefficient management of single- and multiple-use systems can influence the hospitals' material costs substantially. Using mathematical modeling, we developed a strategic decision support tool to determine the optimum mix of disposable and reusable bronchoscopy devices in the setting of an intensive care unit. METHODS: A mathematical model with the objective to minimize costs in relation to demand constraints for bronchoscopy devices was formulated. The stochastic model decides whether single-use, multi-use, or a strategically chosen mix of both device types should be used. A decision support tool was developed in which parameters for uncertain demand such as mean, standard deviation, and a reliability parameter can be inserted. Furthermore, reprocessing costs per procedure, procurement, and maintenance costs for devices can be parameterized. RESULTS: Our experiments show for which demand pattern and reliability measure, it is efficient to only use reusable or disposable devices and under which circumstances the combination of both device types is beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: To determine the optimum mix of single-use and reusable bronchoscopy devices effectively and efficiently, managers can enter their hospital-specific parameters such as demand and prices into the decision support tool.The software can be downloaded at: https://github.com/drdanielgartner/bronchomix/.

Conventional versus Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for the Diagnosis of Hilar/Mediastinal Lymph Adenopathies: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (c-TBNA) and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) are both valuable diagnostic techniques for the diagnosis of hilar/mediastinal lesions. Although a superiority of EBUS-TBNA over c-TBNA may be expected, evidence-based data on a direct comparison between these 2 procedures are still lacking. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the superiority of EBUS-TBNA over c-TBNA in a randomized trial and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness profile of a staged strategy, including c-TBNA as initial test followed by EBUS-TBNA, in case of inconclusive results at rapid on-site evaluation. METHODS: Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to either the EBUS-TBNA or c-TBNA group. The primary endpoint was to test the superiority of EBUS-TBNA sensitivity over c-TBNA. The secondary endpoints included the sensitivity of the staged strategy, as well as costs and safety related to each procedure and to their sequential combination. RESULTS: A total of 253 patients were randomized to either EBUS-TBNA (n = 127) or c-TBNA (n = 126), and 31 patients of the c-TBNA group subsequently underwent EBUS-TBNA. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA was higher, but not significantly superior to that of c-TBNA (respectively. 92% [95% CI 87-97] and 82% [95% CI 75-90], p > 0.05). The sensitivity of the staged strategy was 94% (95% CI 89-98). No major adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-TBNA was the single best diagnostic tool, although not significantly superior to c-TBNA. Due to the favorable cost-effectiveness profile of their sequential combination, in selected scenarios with a high probability of success from the standard procedure, these should not be necessarily intended as competitive and the staged strategy could be considered in clinical practice.

A randomised, controlled trial evaluating a low cost, 3D-printed bronchoscopy simulator.

Low-fidelity, simulation-based psychomotor skills training is a valuable first step in the educational approach to mastering complex procedural skills. We developed a cost-effective bronchial tree simulator based on a human thorax computed tomography scan using rapid-prototyping (3D-print) technology. This randomised, single-blind study evaluated how realistic our 3D-printed simulator would mimic human anatomy compared with commercially available bronchial tree simulators (Laerdal® Airway Management Trainer with Bronchial Tree and AirSim Advance Bronchi, Stavanger, Norway). Thirty experienced anaesthetists and respiratory physicians used a fibreoptic bronchoscope to rate each simulator on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 mm = completely unrealistic anatomy, 100 mm = indistinguishable from real patient) for: localisation of the right upper lobe bronchial lumen; placement of a bronchial blocker in the left main bronchus; aspiration of fluid from the right lower lobe; and overall realism. The 3D-printed simulator was rated most realistic for the localisation of the right upper lobe bronchial lumen (p = 0.002), but no differences were found in placement of a bronchial blocker or for aspiration of fluid (p = 0.792 and p = 0.057) compared with using the commercially available simulators. Overall, the 3D-printed simulator was rated most realistic (p = 0.021). Given the substantially lower costs for the 3D-printed simulator (£85 (€100/US$110) compared with > ~ £2000 (€2350/US$2590) for the commercially available simulators), our 3D-printed simulator provides an inexpensive alternative for learning bronchoscopy skills, and offers the possibility of practising procedures on patient-specific models before attempting them in clinical practice.

Cost-effectiveness of endobronchial valve therapy for severe emphysema: a model-based projection based on the VENT study.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy is an innovative treatment that has been shown to be safe and effective in selected subgroups of patients with severe emphysema. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of EBV therapy compared to the medical management of patients with high heterogeneity, complete fissures and lobar exclusion in the context of the German health-care system. METHODS: Clinical data from a subset of VENT (Endobronchial Valve for Emphysema Palliation Trial) provided information about clinical events, health-related quality of life, and disease staging for 12 months. This information was subsequently used to project long-term disease progression, mortality, and health resource utilization. We computed the 5- and 10-year incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in euros per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Costs and effects were discounted at 3% per year. RESULTS: EBV therapy led to clinically meaningful disease restaging at 12 months (37.8% of the cohort improved staging, compared to 0% in the controls). Over 5 years, EBV therapy was projected to increase survival from 66.4 to 70.7%, and to add 0.22 QALYs. Costs were estimated to increase by EUR 10,299, resulting in an ICER of EUR 46,322 per QALY. Over 10 years, 0.41 QALYs were gained at an additional cost of EUR 10,425, yielding an ICER of EUR 25,142 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Our model-based analysis suggests that EBV therapy leads to clinically meaningful changes in disease staging and progression when compared to medical management, with resulting gains in unadjusted and quality-adjusted life expectancy. Our results indicate that EBV therapy is cost-effective in the German health-care system.

How green is my reusable bronchoscope?

INTRODUCTION: Single-use bronchoscopes have replaced reusable ones in many institutions. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental and financial impacts of both strategies: reusable and single-use bronchoscopes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic study in a 21-bed polyvalent ICU, in Saint-Brieuc, Bretagne, France. The eco-audit consisted of estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, considering the life cycle of each strategy. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to construction, packaging, transport and waste elimination were compared between 2 devices: the reusable bronchoscope, a Pentax® FI-16RBS that was disinfected twice daily; and the single-use bronchoscope, the bronchoflex agile® from TSC. RESULTS: For the reusable bronchoscope, GHG emissions were marginally impacted by the number of bronchoscopies performed (from 185 kg eq.CO2 per year to 192 kg eq.CO2 for 10 or 110 bronchoscopies per year). For the reusable device, GHG emissions directly depended on the number of bronchoscopies performed with 3.82 kg eq.CO2 emitted per bronchoscopy. The breakeven point for the reusable bronchoscope was estimated at 50 bronchoscopies in terms of GHG emissions and 96 bronchoscopies for financial considerations. CONCLUSION: Considering current practice in our ICU, reusable bronchoscopes have lower GHG emissions when used more than 50 times a year and a lower cost when used more than 96 times a year as compared with single-use bronchoscopes.

Lung volume reduction surgery: a micro-costing analysis from a national tertiary referral centre.

OBJECTIVES: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is a clinically effective palliation procedure for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. LVRS has recently been commissioned by the NHS England. In this study, a costing model was developed to analyse cost and resource implications of different LVRS procedures. METHODS: Three pathways were defined by their surgical procedures: bronchoscopic endobronchial valve insertion (EBV-LVRS), video-assisted thoracic surgery LVRS and robotic-assisted thoracic surgery LVRS. The costing model considered use of hospital resources from the LVRS decision until 90 days after hospital admission. The model was calibrated with data obtained from an observational study, electronic health records and expert opinion. Unit costs were obtained from the hospital finance department and reported in 2021 Euros. RESULTS: Video-assisted thoracic surgery LVRS was associated with the lowest cost at €12 896 per patient. This compares to the costs of EBV-LVRS at €15 598 per patient and €13 305 per patient for robotic-assisted thoracic surgery LVRS. A large component of EBV-LVRS costs were accrued secondary to complications, including revision EBV-LVRS. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a comprehensive model framework for the analysis of hospital-related resource use and costs for the 3 surgical modalities. In the future, service commissioning agencies, hospital management and clinicians can use this framework to determine their modifiable resource use (composition of surgical teams, use of staff and consumables, planned length of stay and revision rates for EBV-LVRS) and to assess the potential cost implications of changes in these parameters.

[Cost-effectiveness and safety of mediastinal transbronchial cryobiopsy guided by endobronchial ultrasonography (CRYO-EBUS) in 110 cases]. / Rentabilidad y seguridad de la criobiopsia transbronquial mediastínica guiada por ultrasonografía endobronquial (CRYO-EBUS) en 110 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Transbronchial needle aspiration guided by endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUSTBNA) has the disadvantage of sometimes offering samples of an unsuitable size for an accurate histo-molecular diagnosis. Transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (CRYOEBUS) is a very novel and additional technique to EBUS-TBNA that allows us to obtain larger and quality samples, improving diagnostic performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of 110 patients with lesions and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy who underwent EBUS-TBNA and CRYO-EBUS in a single procedure. Our objective was to analyze the diagnostic profitability and safety of the technique. RESULTS: CRYO-EBUS obtained samples of 0.42cm on average compared to 0.14cm obtained by EBUS-TBNA. The overall diagnostic performance of the techniques was 60% for EBUS-TBNA and 94.5% for CRYO-EBUS. Furthermore, the latter was more sensitive for the diagnosis of both malignant and benign diseases. With a very high security profile. CONCLUSIONS: The CRYO-EBUS technique is cost-effective and safe, and is superior to EBUS-TBNA. Future studies may confirm our findings.

The optimality of different strategies for supplemental staging of non-small-cell lung cancer: a health economic decision analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the expected costs and outcomes of alternative strategies for staging of lung cancer to inform a Danish National Health Service perspective about the most cost-effective strategy. METHODS: A decision tree was specified for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer. Six strategies were defined from relevant combinations of mediastinoscopy, endoscopic or endobronchial ultrasound with needle aspiration, and combined positron emission tomography-computed tomography with F18-fluorodeoxyglucose. Patients without distant metastases and central or contralateral nodal involvement (N2/N3) were considered to be candidates for surgical resection. Diagnostic accuracies were informed from literature reviews, prevalence and survival from the Danish Lung Cancer Registry, and procedure costs from national average tariffs. All parameters were specified probabilistically to determine the joint decision uncertainty. The cost-effectiveness analysis was based on the net present value of expected costs and life years accrued over a time horizon of 5 years. RESULTS: At threshold values of around €30,000 for cost-effectiveness, it was found to be cost-effective to send all patients to positron emission tomography-computed tomography with confirmation of positive findings on nodal involvement by endobronchial ultrasound. This result appeared robust in deterministic sensitivity analysis. The expected value of perfect information was estimated at €52 per patient, indicating that further research might be worthwhile. CONCLUSIONS: The policy recommendation is to make combined positron emission tomography-computed tomography and endobronchial ultrasound available for supplemental staging of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. The effects of alternative strategies on patients' quality of life, however, should be examined in future studies.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration prevents mediastinoscopies in the diagnosis of isolated mediastinal lymphadenopathy: a prospective trial.

RATIONALE: Patients with isolated mediastinal lymphadenopathy (IML) are a common presentation to physicians, and mediastinoscopy is traditionally considered the "gold standard" investigation when a pathological diagnosis is required. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is established as an alternative to mediastinoscopy in patients with lung cancer. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and health care costs of EBUS-TBNA as an alternative initial investigation to mediastinoscopy in patients with isolated IML. METHODS: Prospective multicenter single-arm clinical trial of 77 consecutive patients with IML from 5 centers between April 2009 and March 2011. All patients underwent EBUS-TBNA. If EBUS-TBNA did not provide a diagnosis, then participants underwent mediastinoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: EBUS-TBNA prevented 87% of mediastinoscopies (95% confidence interval [CI], 77-94%; P < 0.001) but failed to provide a diagnosis in 10 patients (13%), all of whom underwent mediastinoscopy. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of EBUS-TBNA in patients with IML were 92% (95% CI, 83-95%) and 40% (95% CI, 12-74%), respectively. One patient developed a lower respiratory tract infection after EBUS-TBNA, requiring inpatient admission. The cost of the EBUS-TBNA procedure per patient was £1,382 ($2,190). The mean cost of the EBUS-TBNA strategy was £1,892 ($2,998) per patient, whereas a strategy of mediastinoscopy alone was significantly more costly at £3,228 ($5,115) per patient (P < 0.001). The EBUS-TBNA strategy is less costly than mediastinoscopy if the cost per EBUS-TBNA procedure is less than £2,718 ($4,307) per patient. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-TBNA is a safe, highly sensitive, and cost-saving initial investigation in patients with IML. Clinical trial registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00932854).

Efficacy and cost effectiveness of rapid on site examination (ROSE) in management of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathies.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and staging approach for the mediastinal lymphadenopathies, with or whithout pulmonary lesions endoscopically visible, is based on transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) during fiberoptic bronchoscopy and on mediastinoscopy. One important factor impacting on TBNA sensitivity is the rapid on site cytological examination (ROSE). AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic impact of TBNA and TBNA + ROSE, in the diagnosis of these lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 120 patients, affected by mediastinal lymphadenopathies suspected for lung cancer, underwent TBNA during fiberoptic bronchoscopy: 60 patients without ROSE (group A) and other 60 with ROSE (group B). Whenever needle aspirations failed to provide diagnosis, the patient underwent mediastinoscopy. The economic impact of the diagnostic process was performed. RESULTS: In group A, 39 patients (65%) obtained a diagnosis with TBNA while 21 patients (35%) required mediastinoscopy. In group B, 48 patients (80%) obtained a diagnosis with TBNA + ROSE, while 12 patients (20%) required mediastinoscopy. With regards to the costs of the procedures performed in the diagnostic process, the use of TBNA with ROSE as first diagnostic approach has saved a considerable amount of euros (19,413) compared to the use of TBNA without ROSE and the combined procedure increased (p < 0.02; chi square test) the sensitivity of TBNA by 15%. CONCLUSIONS: ROSE significantly impacts on the diagnostic yield, as well as on the overall management costs of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, suspected for lung cancer.

Transbronchial needle aspiration with rapid on-site evaluation: a prospective study on efficacy, feasibility and cost effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has an established role in diagnosis of hilar and mediastinal lesions. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of TBNA smears can determine the adequacy of TBNA smears that can obviate the need for repeat procedures, thus avoiding added cost. There is paucity of data from India showing efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ROSE. Hence, this study was carried out to assess the efficacy, feasibility and cost implications of ROSE assisted TBNA. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients undergoing TBNA were enrolled and ROSE was performed on TBNA smears. The results were analysed using a comparative study design. RESULTS: It was found that 45% of patients would have required a repeat bronchoscopy due to inadequacy of material, if ROSE was not used. Inadequate smears were more common in benign aetiologies than malignant ones. TBNA of mass lesions and lesions with endoluminal bulge give better results than TBNA of lymph nodes and without endoluminal bulge. CONCLUSIONS: ROSE was found to increase the yield of TBNA and help to prevent repeat procedures. It proved to be simple, cost-effective and feasible in Indian settings.

Use of endobronchial ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound to stage the mediastinum in early-stage lung cancer.

Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer, with more than 160,000 deaths and 226,000 newly diagnosed cases estimated in 2012. Because treatment and survival are directly linked to disease stage, accurate staging in all patients is crucial. The proper staging of early-stage lung cancer involves investigation for the presence of metastatic spread via lymph nodes within the thorax. Initial steps include CT and PET. Mediastinoscopy has previously been considered the gold standard for mediastinal lymph node sampling; however, over the past 10 years the use of ultrasound-guided lymph node sampling has been shown to be at least as sensitive, and has the added advantage of being able to access significantly more stations. This article reviews the current standards of lung cancer staging in 2012.

Conventional and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: complementary procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy and staging lung cancer with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) are on the rise. Most reports have demonstrated high yields with EBUS-TBNA and superiority of this procedure over conventional TBNA (cTBNA), but the relative roles of these procedures remain undefined. We present a comprehensive comparison of EBUS-TBNA to cTBNA. METHODS: We reviewed all of the bronchoscopies performed at our medical center from January 2009 through December 2010. We collected data on 82 EBUS-TBNAs and 209 cTBNAs performed. A cost analysis was subsequently performed. RESULTS: EBUS-TBNA was performed more often in patients with known prior cancer and suspicion of recurrence or staging compared with cTBNA (42% vs 18%, P < 0.001). cTBNA was more likely to be performed in patients suspected of having malignancy and needing diagnostic specimens (70% vs 46%, P = 0.009). The overall yield in which a diagnostic specimen or lymphoid tissue was obtained was not different in each group: EBUS 84% vs cTBNA 86% (P = 0.75). The cancer yield was 57% in cTBNAs compared with 44% in EBUS-TBNAs (P < 0.0001), with EBUS-TBNA more often targeting smaller nodes (mean 15 ± 7 mm vs 21 ± 11 mm; P < 0.0001) and paratracheal sites (67% vs 49%, P = 0.003). Per-procedure cost using a Medicare scale was higher for EBUS than it was for cTBNA ($1195 vs $808; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-TBNA and cTBNA are complementary bronchoscopic procedures, and the appropriate diagnostic modality can be selected in a cost-effective manner based upon the primary indication for TBNA, lymph node size, and lymph node location.

[Comparison of antifog methods in endoscopy. What really helps]. / Vergleich von Antibeschlagmethoden in der Endoskopie. Was wirklich hilft.

BACKGROUND: The use of a flexible or rigid fiberoptic bronchoscope belongs to the standard repertoire in anesthesiology. Besides a lack of training these procedures may be considerably compromised by endoscopic lens fogging. Several antifogging approaches are commercially available but to date no controlled studies regarding the efficacy of these devices in bronchoscopes exists. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of different commercially available anti-fogging techniques for rigid and flexible bronchoscopes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed at the department of anesthesia in a university children's hospital. An artificial airway model was created to simulate in vivo conditions with respect to airflow, temperature and atmospheric moisture. A test picture was inserted into the artificial airway for assuring a standardized view through the bronchoscopes. Antifogging efficacy of two liquid antifog solutions (Ultrastop and Anti-Fog), two antifog wipes (Lina Clear and Reso Clear) and an induction endoscope preheater system (used after one and two induction preheating phases) was assessed by video taping of the bronchoscope view of the test picture. In addition the administration of continuous oxygen airflow of 2 l min⁻¹ through the suction channel of the flexible bronchoscope was tested as an alternative method to prevent lens fogging. All final pictures were rated by 10 staff anesthesiologists who were blinded to the antifog devices used. To assess the clinical relevance of the results, ratings were classified into a 5 grade rating scale (ranging from no visualization of any structure to excellent endoscopic view allowing safe endotracheal intubation). In addition, the failure rate of each anti-fog technique was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 300 endoscopic test pictures were taken and assessed. Using the flexible bronchoscope, the use of anti-fog solution (failure rate 3 %) and Lina Clear wipes (failure rate 4%) showed the best results. In the rigid bronchoscope group Ultrastop solution (failure rate 5 %) and Lina Clear wipes (failure rate 3.5 %) showed superior results. The two-time use of the endoscope preheater system was effective using flexible (failure rate 6 %) and rigid bronchoscopes (failure rate 10 %). The application of a continuous oxygen flow of 2 l/min failed to provide a clear endoscopic view (failure rate 93.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: All commercially available antifog liquids and wipes showed slightly different reduction of lens fogging. However, other factors such as frequency of usage, the type of endoscope, hygiene properties as well as cost-effectiveness might have a substantial impact on the comparison of all tested anti-fog devices. The use of an endoscope preheater system might be a conceivable alternative method to reduce lens fogging despite the higher initial cost. However, the multiple use of the preheater system cannot be recommended at present as additional handling procedures to ensure an appropriate but safe temperature of the endoscopic tip should be provided by the manufacturer. Application of a continuous oxygen flow was shown not to be effective in preventing lens fogging using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope.

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy.

In 2009, lung cancer was estimated to be the second most common form of cancer diagnosed in men, after prostate, and the second, after breast cancer, in women. It is estimated that it caused 159,390 deaths more than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. While age-adjusted death rates for this cancer have been declining since 2000, they remain high.

Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Bronchoscopy: Technology and Reimbursement.

Advanced interventional pulmonary procedures of the airways, pleural space, and mediastinum continue to evolve and be refined. Health care, finance, and clinical professionals are challenged by both the indications and related coding complexities. As the scope of interventional pulmonary procedures expands with advanced technique and medical innovation, program planning and ongoing collaboration among clinicians, finance executives, and reimbursement experts are key elements for success. We describe advanced bronchoscopic procedures, appropriate Current Procedural Terminology coding, valuations, and necessary modifiers to fill the knowledge gap between basic and advanced procedural coding. Our approach is to balance the description of procedures with the associated coding in a way that is of use to the proceduralist, the coding specialist, and other nonclinical professionals.