The cost associated with interstitial thermotherapy for tonsil reduction vs. standard tonsillectomy

Given the high demand for tonsillectomies in children, the variety of techniques available, and the increasing need to control expenditures, it is important to analyse the costs associated with surgical procedures. The aim in the present study was to compare the cost of interstitial thermotherapy for tonsil volume reduction with conventional tonsillectomy. This was a nonrandomized, retrospective analysis at a public practice regional hospital between 2010 and 2012. Paediatric patients that underwent molecular resonance (MR)-induced tonsil thermal ablation (day case admission) were matched, according to age and concurrent surgery, to patients that underwent tonsillectomy by standard bipolar dissection (ordinary admission) during the same study period. Both groups were compared in economic terms based on operating room (OR) times, salaries, materials and hospitalization cost. Sixty-two patients were included (31 in each group). The mean ages of patients in the MR and tonsillectomy groups were 5.6 (2.7 SD) and 5.1 years (2.0 SD), respectively. A significantly lower mean surgery time (28.25 vs. 36.95 min), anaesthesia time (48.79 vs. 61.73 min), OR time (64.18 vs. 76.16 min), and OR cost (€166.60 vs. €199.58) were found in the MR group (P < 0.05). The mean cost-per-patient was significantly higher in the MR technique when the expenses of the single-use probe and the overnight stay were, respectively, added (€408.60 vs. €374.58, P = 0.007). The present study confirmed increased costs for interstitial thermotherapy for tonsil reduction compared to conventional tonsillectomy. Operation time and early discharge savings were eclipsed by the cost of the disposable probes.