Patient specific or routine preoperative workup in septoplasty: which one is cost-effective?

This study aimed at determining the limits of preoperative investigation and calculate estimated cost analysis in septoplasty with and without turbinate surgery. A retrospective chart review. The study was conducted at secondary referral center. A retrospective chart review of patients who have undergone septoplasty over a 1-year period was performed. The need for routine (battery testing) versus patient specific preoperative workup of 380 septoplasty patients was evaluated. Mean age of the patients was 31.5 ± 4.6. The patients were classified into three groups according to preoperative routine laboratory testing results: (1) normal group (2) abnormal group and (3) abnormal out of action limit group. Medical records were revaluated by an anesthesiologist and ear nose throat doctor according to preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines to calculate estimated possible costs in case of patient specific preoperative workup. Three hundred seventy-seven patients were within ASA 1 group and three patients were within ASA 2. According to preoperative battery testing results, 5.8% of the patients (n = 22) were in group 1, 93.4% (n = 355) were in group 2, 0.8% (n = 3) were in group 3. Surgery was postponed due to concomitant pathologies for about 44 days (10-180 days) in four patients (1.1%). Preoperative routine laboratory testing costs were calculated as $41.08 ± 6.69 (40.25-128.78) per patient. When medical records were reevaluated retrospectively, estimated cost per patient would be $8.91 ± 10.40 (7.18-79.91) if patient specific preoperative workup were done. Individual preoperative testing would save $12,226.78 annually and total cost would decrease from $15,612.41 to $3,385.62. (p = 0.001). Patient-specific preoperative workup is more cost effective than routine battery testing in septoplasty with and without turbinate surgery.