Author(s)
Kevin J. Choi MD MS
Matthew Crowson MD
Ralph Abi Hachem MD
David Jang MD
Affiliation(s)
Duke University Medical Center
Abstract:
Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to discuss regional trends in the use of balloon sinuplasties. Objectives: The use of balloon sinuplasties in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis has been on the rise. However, its efficacy compared to conventional surgical treatment modalities continues to be debated. This study aims to assess regional trends in the use of balloon sinuplasty. Study Design: Independent commercial healthcare claims database review. Methods: Patients undergoing balloon sinuplasty were identified in the FAIR Health Commercial Healthcare Claims Database from 2013 by CPT codes 31295, 31296 and 31297. Extracted data included associated diagnosis codes (ICD-9), procedure charges, provider location and service settings. Descriptive analysis was performed to describe the findings. Results: 159 patients undergoing balloon sinuplasty were identified. Frontal sinus dilation was most frequently performed (57/159), followed by sphenoid (52/159) and maxillary (50/159) sinus dilations. Procedures were most frequently performed in office based settings (152/159) compared to outpatient hospitals (5/159) or ambulatory surgery centers (2/159). The mean charge amount per procedure was $7,325.65. Chronic rhinosinusitis (473.x) was the most frequently associated diagnosis, followed by deviated nasal septum (470.0) and turbinate hypertrophy (478.0). 98.7% (157/159) of balloon sinuplasties were performed in private practice settings in regions independent of academic medical center with otolaryngology training programs. Conclusions: A bias exists in the utility of balloon sinuplasties as these procedures are most frequently performed in non-academic, office based settings. Larger studies are necessary to assess whether these trends are applicable at a national level and to explore differences in the patient population between private practice and academic medicine that may potentially explain these findings.