BACKGROUND: Understanding the variation in costs of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is critical to defining value. Current published costs of ESS have not identified potential sources of variation. Our objective was to analyze ESS costs to identify sources of variance that could guide value-improving decisions. METHODS: ESS cases (n = 1739) performed between 2008 and 2016 were identified from a database of 22 rural to tertiary facilities. Cost and time data were extracted from the database. Medical records were reviewed to confirm procedures. Three bilateral groupings were examined (n = 895 cases from 13 facilities): (1) full ESS (all sinuses); (2) intermediate ESS (total ethmoid, maxillary); and (3) anterior ESS (anterior ethmoid, maxillary). Cost and operative time were analyzed using multivariable gamma regression. RESULTS: Median costs for full, intermediate, and anterior ESS were $4281, $3716, and $2549 U.S. dollars (p < 0.001). Median durations were 87, 60, and 58 minutes (p < 0.001). Among patients with no additional procedures, those with full ESS had operative duration, total cost, and supply costs that were 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.61), 1.52 (95% CI, 1.32 to 1.75), and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.76 to 3.25) times greater than anterior ESS, respectively (all p < 0.001). Intermediate ESS duration at community urban facilities was 1.87 (95% CI, 1.74 to 2.02) times that of community rural facilities (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Duration of surgery, extent of surgery, and location of surgery are sources of significant variation in the cost of ESS. These findings will assist healthcare policy makers, hospitals, and surgeons in optimizing the value of ESS.
BACKGROUND: Understanding the variation in costs of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is critical to defining value. Current published costs of ESS have not identified potential sources of variation. Our objective was to analyze ESS costs to identify sources of variance that could guide value-improving decisions. METHODS:ESS cases (n = 1739) performed between 2008 and 2016 were identified from a database of 22 rural to tertiary facilities. Cost and time data were extracted from the database. Medical records were reviewed to confirm procedures. Three bilateral groupings were examined (n = 895 cases from 13 facilities): (1) full ESS (all sinuses); (2) intermediate ESS (total ethmoid, maxillary); and (3) anterior ESS (anterior ethmoid, maxillary). Cost and operative time were analyzed using multivariable gamma regression. RESULTS: Median costs for full, intermediate, and anterior ESS were $4281, $3716, and $2549 U.S. dollars (p < 0.001). Median durations were 87, 60, and 58 minutes (p < 0.001). Among patients with no additional procedures, those with full ESS had operative duration, total cost, and supply costs that were 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.61), 1.52 (95% CI, 1.32 to 1.75), and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.76 to 3.25) times greater than anterior ESS, respectively (all p < 0.001). Intermediate ESS duration at community urban facilities was 1.87 (95% CI, 1.74 to 2.02) times that of community rural facilities (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Duration of surgery, extent of surgery, and location of surgery are sources of significant variation in the cost of ESS. These findings will assist healthcare policy makers, hospitals, and surgeons in optimizing the value of ESS.
Authors: Luke Rudmik; Timothy L Smith; Jess C Mace; Rodney J Schlosser; Peter H Hwang; Zachary M Soler Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2015-09-15 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Zara M Patel; Andrew Thamboo; Luke Rudmik; Jayakar V Nayak; Timothy L Smith; Peter H Hwang Journal: Int Forum Allergy Rhinol Date: 2016-11-11 Impact factor: 3.858
Authors: George A Scangas; Aaron K Remenschneider; Brooke M Su; Mark G Shrime; Ralph Metson Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2016-07-21 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Markus Jukka Lilja; Anni Koskinen; Paula Virkkula; Seija Inkeri Vento; Jyri Myller; Sari Hammarén-Malmi; Anu Laulajainen-Hongisto; Maija Hytönen; Antti Mäkitie; Jura Numminen; Saara Sillanpää; Hannu Raitiola; Markus Rautiainen; Sanna Katriina Toppila-Salmi Journal: Allergy Rhinol (Providence) Date: 2021-04-26