Surgery Center Posts Prices of Procedures

Given the uproar over the lack of transparency of surgery prices, it was only a matter of time before an operating facility in the United States (oversea facilities have already done so) takes the step of posting the cost of surgery... a set cost that is exactly what a patient pays. Complete cost transparency.

The Surgery Center of Oklahoma is an AAAHC accredited facility since 1998 and has over 40 participating surgeons. And they are the first that I'm aware of that has taken the step of posting the cost of surgery on their website. The caveat being the cost shown ONLY applies to those who do not have health insurance.

On their website, they state:

"Transparent, direct, package pricing means the patient knows exactly what the cost of the service will be upfront. Fees for the surgeon, anesthesiologist and facility are all included in one low price. There are no hidden costs, charges or surprises."

Keep in mind that this cost is NOT just the surgeon's fee, but also includes the anesthesia charges as well as facility charges. Read more about such charges here.

So what are the charges? They have it all posted on their website!

But below is a list of charges for ENT procedures as of 6/3/12 (surgeon, anesthesia, and facility charges all bundled into a single charge). The webpage also includes prices for general surgery, orthopedics, urology, ophthalmology, etc.

I wonder if other facilities in the United States will start following suit???

Neck
Thyroidectomy		$ 6,160.00
Lymph Node Excision / Biopsy		$ 2,255.00
Ear
Myringoplasty		$ 2,400.00
Bilateral Myringotomy with tubes		$ 1,700.00
Tympanoplasty		$ 5,060.00
Tympanoplasty - Mastoidectomy		$ 7,050.00
Mastoidectomy		$ 6,640.00
Inner Ear - Stapedectomy		$ 5,390.00
Ossiculoplasty		$ 5,060.00
Cochlear Implant		$ 8,800.00
Foreign Body Removal		$ 1,500.00
Nose
Bilateral SMR Turb		$ 2,700.00
Sinus / Turbinates 1 side		$ 3,795.00
complex		$ 4,950.00
Sinus / Turbinates both sides		$ 4,510.00
complex		$ 5,885.00
Septoplasty		$ 3,550.00
Septoplasty and Sinus/Turbinates		$ 5,060.00
Nasal Fracture Simple Closed		$ 1,900.00
Nasal Frature Complex Open		$ 4,015.00
Throat
Tonsillectomy		$ 3,050.00
Adenoidectomy		$ 2,695.00
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy		$ 3,695.00
Adenoidectomy and BMT		$ 3,300.00
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy and BMT		$ 4,400.00
Frenulectomy		$ 1,600.00
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty		$ 5,445.00
Diagnostic Laryngoscopy with biopsy		$ 2,970.00

Devices That Help Fix Clogged Ears

Clogged ears due to eustachian tube dysfunction or fluid in the ears is one of the most common complaints seen in an ENT clinic. Beyond medications like steroids & nasal sprays or even surgery (ear tubes) to resolve this complaint, a fundamental physical maneuver the patient MUST also be doing is called "valsalva". Valsalva is the attempt to "pop" the ears by yawn, swallow, or attempting to gently blow air out the nose that is pinched shut.

The yawn and swallow are passive maneuvers to pop the ear whereby trying to gently blow air out the nose while keeping it pinched shut to create intra-nasal pressure is an active maneuver.

The key concept is that medications do not pop the ears for you... YOU have to pop the ears yourself. Medications just help accomplish this task.

Typically, when things are truly clogged and it is very difficult if not impossible to pop the ears open, actively trying to pop the ears open is key. Yawning and swallowing typically is ineffective.

However, there are patients who can't quite grasp the idea of HOW to pop the ears by nose pinching. OR, they are too scared that they might rupture their eardrums (which could happen if the nose-blowing is too aggressive).

Furthermore, what about the 2 years old who doesn't even understand how to nose-blow let alone valsalva?

As such, there are two main devices to perform the active valsalva for such individuals. Please note, I have no financial ties to either companies to disclose.

Otovent

The first is a simple balloon called Otovent (can be purchased on Amazon). In essence, you snug the balloon up against the nose and try to inflate the balloon up. The balloon itself provides the necessary and sufficient back-pressure into the nose resulting in an active valsalva. This is mainly used by children who can appreciate the visual feedback.

EarPopper

The second is an electronic device, EarPopper (also can be purchased on Amazon), that pushes air into the nose. So, rather than having the lungs "push" air into the nose to create intra-nasal air pressure, this device replaces the lungs and pushes air into the nose from the front. This device comes in two flavors: Home and Pro versions.

Please keep in mind that there's another electronic device which supposedly helps with ear popping called EarDoc which is not recommended as it uses an unproven concept.

So there you have it...

Read more about this condition here.

Products That Help Pop the Ear Due to Eustachian Tube Dysfunction or Fluid in the Middle Ear:

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Geared Toward Adults

Balloon Geared Toward Kids

Dr. Chang on Front-Page News

Dr. Chris Chang made the front page news of today's newspaper Fauquier Times-Democrat for his social media efforts. Click on the image to enlarge the article.