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National Trends in Laryngeal Laser Surgery: Comparison of Operative Versus Office-Based Procedures
Maxwell Scher1,2, Samantha M Shave3, Jeremiah C Tracy4
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|October 18, 2024
Summary
Office-based laser procedures for laryngeal lesions remain stable, comprising a small fraction of total excisions. This contrasts with the trend toward more in-office procedures, while operative excisions are declining.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Laryngeal Surgery
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The trend in healthcare delivery favors office-based procedures over traditional operative interventions.
- Laryngeal lesion excisions are performed using various techniques, including office-based laser ablation and operative direct laryngoscopy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze national trends in the prevalence of office-based laryngeal ablative procedures.
- To compare these trends with those of traditional operative excisional procedures using direct laryngoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of US Medicare Part B claims data from 2013-2022.
- Inclusion of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for office-based laser ablation (31572) and operative excisions (31540, 31541, 31545).
- Examination of annual trends in procedure volume and comparison between procedure types.
Main Results:
- Office-based laser procedures (CPT 31572) showed a stable annual volume (18,887-25,241) since 2017.
- These office-based procedures constituted a small percentage (8.4%-12.1%) of total laryngeal excisional procedures.
- Operative laryngeal excisions (CPT 31540 and 31541) significantly declined over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Office-based laser procedures represent a minor proportion of laryngeal lesion removal.
- The stable utilization of office-based laser procedures contrasts with the general shift towards ambulatory care.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the reasons behind the observed decrease in operative laryngeal excision procedures.
