Short- and long-term costs of sinus balloon sinuplasty and middle meatal antrostomy

Purpose: To evaluate and compare hospital related costs, postoperative costs, and the long-term costs of maxillary balloon sinuplasty (BSP) and middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: Data were collected from patient registers on 88 patients treated with BSP and 240 patients treated with MMA between 2011 and 2017. Information was also gathered on the related costs of surgery, material, postoperative ward care, and any extra patient visits that took place within one year following the operation. The costs of sick leave were estimated based on the number of sick leave days. Results: The total costs of BSP (mean 3382 €, 95% CI 3157–3607) within one year after the operation were lower than those of MMA (mean 4546 €, 95% CI 4297–4796) (p < 0.001). However, the hospital related 24 h perioperative costs were higher in BSP (mean 1853 €, 95% CI 1781–1925) than in MMA (mean 1581 €, 95% CI 1515–1647) (p < 0.001). The number of sick leave days after BSP (mean 4 days) was half that of MMA (8 days) (p < 0.001), leading to an increase in sick leave costs after MMA. The duration of the BSP operation was significantly shorter than that of MMA. Conclusion: BSP of the maxillary sinus ostium appears to be less expensive than MMA when the total costs are calculated one year after the operation. This information should be considered in the preoperative visit. Level of evidence: 3.