Economic Evaluation of Adjuvant Surgical Therapy for Allergic Rhinitis- Comparing Laser Turbinoplasty with Septomeatoplasty

Objective: To compare outcomes for laser turbinoplasty (LT) and septomeatoplasty (SMP) for allergic rhinitis (AR).ethods: Secondary analysis was performed of National Health Insurance data from patients with AR who underwent LT or SMP from 2001 to 2004. Outcomes were defined as follows: cost was inpatient or outpatient expenditures for surgery, benefit was saved postoperative outpatient expenditures, effectiveness was the number of postoperative outpatient visits saved.esults: Over 6 months, there were 122 patients: 110 for LT and 12 for SMP. For LT, the average cost, benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) were NT$4571.30, 0.34, and NT$2401.22 per visit, respectively. For SMP, the average cost, BCR, and CER were NT$23808.33, 0.07, and NT$10801.84 per visit, respectively. Over 12 months, there were 109 patients: 98 for LT and 11 for SMP. For LT, the average cost, BCR, and CER were NT$4635.90, 0.42, and NT$1889.41 per visit, respectively. For SMP, the average cost, BCR, and CER were NT$23649.18, 0.09, and NT$8715.98 per visit, respectively. LT provided more appropriate BCR and CER than SMP. Preoperative outpatient visits were the major prognostic determinant for effectiveness. Preoperative outpatient expenditures were the major prognostic determinant for benefit.onclusions: LT should be considered first to alleviate nasal obstruction refractory to medication if only chronic hypertrophic inferior turbinates are present. However, SMP would be more appropriate if additional pathologic deviation of the nasal septum is observed.