Cost-effectiveness analysis
The effectiveness of DCT group, which did not have bleeding, blood
transfusion, re-operation, and pain, was greater than or equal to the
inpatient group (Table 4). For patients with less bleeding and requiring
re-operation, the effectiveness of DCT group was approximately equal to
or greater than that of inpatient group. Besides, the total costs in DCT
group ($ 915.1) were lower than inpatient group ($ 1227.9). Therefore,
DCT was more cost effective than inpatient surgery and there was no need
to calculate ICER. On the other hand, there was less blood transfusion
in the inpatient group, thus, effectiveness of inpatient group (0.993)
was approximately equal to or greater than that of DCT group (0.987)
with no significant difference between two groups. However, the
mean total costs in DCT group ($ 915.1) were lower than inpatient group
($ 1227.9). Thus, the calculated ICER was $52133, indicating that per
less blood transfusion in tonsillectomy by inpatient method, $52133
should be spent. Thus, because the ICER is greater than the per capita
GDP, DCT was more cost effective than inpatient method. Also, according
to the Pain, patients in DCT group endured less pain. Therefore, the
effectiveness of DCT group (0.730) was greater than inpatient group
(0.710) and due to the lower total cost in the amount of pain of DCT
group ($ 915.1) compared with inpatient group ($ 1227.9), DCT was more
cost effective and there was no need to calculate ICER.