Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Provides Effective Relief as Observed by Health Care Use Pre- and Postoperatively

Abstract

Objective To analyze the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on overall health care utilization for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Study Design Retrospective administrative database analysis. Setting All US-based primary and secondary sites of care. Subjects and Methods A cohort of patients with ESS ( Current Procedural Terminology codes 31254-31288) in 2008 and at least 5 years of continuous medical and drug plan enrollment were included (n = 9105). Inpatient and outpatient medical history (including prescriptions) was analyzed from weeks −104 to +104 postoperatively. Results Health care utilization was constant up to −6 months preoperatively, at a per-patient per-week (PPPW) average of $11.75 (prescriptions, $2.44 [95% confidence interval (CI), $2.32-$2.56]; inpatient care, $ 0.82 [95% CI, $ 0.43-$1.20]; outpatient care, $8.49 [95% CI, $7.90-$9.08]). At −26 weeks preoperatively, a continuous increase from baseline levels was observed up to week −3, reaching an average PPPW of $95.37 (prescriptions, $13.74 [95% CI, $12.51-$14.96]; inpatient care, $2.73 [95% CI, $1.76-$3.70]; and outpatient care, $78.90 [95% CI, 73.65-$84.14]). From week −3 to surgery, outpatient events and prescriptions increased significantly, suggesting a decision to operate and costs associated with preoperative management. Postoperatively, costs declined rapidly, reaching baseline levels by 13 weeks postoperatively. Adverse events were reported in 388 patients (2.94% cases of hemorrhage, 0.14% cases of cerebrospinal fluid leak, 0.58% cases of orbital complications), and 572 (6.28%) patients had revision surgery. Conclusion Patients with CRS incur ongoing, baseline levels of health care utilization. Preoperatively, CRS-related health care needs are more than 8-fold greater than those at baseline. Following ESS, health care needs declined rapidly and reached baseline levels within 13 weeks postoperatively.