Effects of nasal septum deviation and concha bullosa surgery on the frequency and financial burden of acute rhinosinusitis.

Abstract

Nasal septum deviation/concha bullosa (DNS)/(CB) are known to be predisposing factors in the pathophysiology of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). However, the effects of surgical treatment of these pathologies on ARS have not been adequately investigated. To reveal the effects of the surgical treatment of DNS and CB on the frequency of the ARS, the use of antibiotics (ABs), and the direct cost incurred. Medical records of the patients who had undergone successful surgery for DNS/CB and were diagnosed with ARS in the preoperative and postoperative 3-year period were retrospectively analyzed. The average annual number of ARS examinations of the patients, the number of ABs prescribed, and prescription, examination, and total health system costs were compared. Fifty-three patients (33 men (62%) and 20 women (38%)) were included in the study. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean annual number of examinations for ARS, the number of ABs prescribed, prescription, examination, and total health system costs (p < 0.05) in the postoperative period compared with the preoperative period. The present study determined that successful surgeries performed in patients with DNS/CB resulted in a significant decrease in the average annual number of examinations performed for ARS, number of AB prescriptions, and prescription, examination, and total health system costs. With these results, it seems beneficial to direct patients to surgery within the framework of the health policies of countries to reduce the frequency and financial burden of ARS in DNS/CB patients.