Cost-effectiveness of tonsillectomy for recurrent acute tonsillitis

Objectives: We used a retrospective case series to perform a preliminary study to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tonsillectomy for recurrent acute tonsillitis. Methods: We studied 25 children and 16 adults who had tonsillectomy for recurrent acute tonsillitis. The adult patients and the children's caregivers were asked to respond to a questionnaire regarding the efficacy of their tonsillectomy. The cost of medical care and the work disability cost for tonsillitis and for tonsillectomy were calculated. We then applied the technique of break-even time analysis to assess when the total health care cost savings from surgery overtook the total cost of tonsillectomy. Results: In children, the overall economic costs (medical costs and work-related costs) were recovered at 1.6 years after tonsillectomy (break-even point). In adults, the overall economic costs (medical costs and work-related costs) were recovered at 2.5 years after tonsillectomy (break-even point). Conclusions: Tonsillectomy for recurrent acute tonsillitis is both clinically effective and cost-effective for children and adults in Japan.