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

Abstract

Background Nasal septum deviation/concha bullosa (DNS)/(CB) are known to be predisposing factors in the pathophysiology of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). However, the efects of surgical treatment of these pathologies on ARS have not been adequately investigated. Aims To reveal the efects of the surgical treatment of DNS and CB on the frequency of the ARS, the use of antibiotics (ABs), and the direct cost incurred. Methods 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. Results Fifty-three patients (33 men (62%) and 20 women (38%)) were included in the study. There was a statistically signifcant 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. Conclusions The present study determined that successful surgeries performed in patients with DNS/CB resulted in a signifcant 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 benefcial to direct patients to surgery within the framework of the health policies of countries to reduce the frequency and fnancial burden of ARS in DNS/CB patients.