Does Adenotonsillectomy Reduce Total Health Care Costs of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy?

The procedure reduced postsurgical costs but was associated with greater total health care costs.

Adenotonsillectomy is a common intervention for pediatric adenotonsillar hypertrophy with disordered sleep. To evaluate its cost-effectiveness, researchers reviewed 4 years (2004–2008) of Missouri Medicaid claims for 4276 children (age range, 2–16 years) diagnosed with adenotonsillar hypertrophy; 2915 (68%) underwent adenotonsillectomy in 2006.

Compared with children who did not undergo adenotonsillectomy, children who did were more likely to be white, older, and five times more likely to have tonsillar infections before the procedure. Median 4-year total cost was significantly higher (15%) in the adenotonsillectomy group (US$2313 vs. $1945). Median costs during the 2 years before and after adenotonsillectomy were $1228 and $838, respectivel…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Does Adenotonsillectomy Reduce Total Health Care Costs of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy?

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Reviewing Author