[Cost effective and quality assured (adeno)tonsillectomy in children].
BACKGROUND
The issues of whether minor surgery should be performed in private or public clinics and/or be funded by the national health service are under continuous debate in Norway.


METHODS
A prospective study of the benefit of (adeno)tonsillectomies in 120 children is presented. Surgery included in the study was performed on an inpatient as well as an outpatient basis and in public as well as private clinics.


RESULTS
There was no difference in patient satisfaction or in the quality of surgery depending on the type of organisation. Relief of symptoms associated with (adeno)tonsillar infections and obstruction following surgery was consistent. Less euresis was found in the study population following surgery. Increased haemoglobin concentration and less protoporfyrin IX in erythrocytes indicate an improved erythropoiesis following (adeno)tonsillectomy. Less manpower was needed to perform (adeno)tonsillectomies in private compared to public clinics.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the Norwegian national health system opens up for funding surgery of established quality irrespective of whether it is performed in a public or a private clinic.
Aasand
G
G
Ore-nese-halsseksjonen, Kongsberg sykehus.
Miljeteig
H
H
Elverland
H H
HH
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D000293:Adolescent; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009664:Norway; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011331:Private Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards