It's All About the Money, Honey! - A retrospective cost comparison
between total endoscopic ear surgery and microscopic surgery for attic
cholesteatoma
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: Endoscopic ear surgery (EES) is rapidly
emerging as a mainstream surgical modality, with recent literature
highlighting its advantages over traditional approaches. This study
tests the null hypothesis that there is no difference in direct costs of
total endoscopic ear surgery and microscopic ear surgery for attic
cholesteatoma in a British National Health Service District General
Hospital setting. Study Design: Retrospective cost comparison Setting:
district general hospital Participants: patients undergoing surgery for
cholesteatoma limited to the attic, either via endoscopic or microscopic
approach Cost comparison: Direct cost comparison of anaesthetic set up,
surgical set up, and surgical time between total endoscopic ear surgery
and microscopic ear surgery for attic cholesteatoma. Main outcome
measures: Direct costs of anaesthetic set up, surgical set up, and
surgical time Results: Total endoscopic ear surgery had a significant
cost saving of £1419.01 per operation. Conclusion: Total endoscopic ear
surgery is more cost-effective than microscopic surgery for attic
cholesteatoma in a British National Health Service District General
Hospital setting.