Over 150 potentially low-value health care practices: an Australian study

MacKay, Stuart G

doi:10.5694/mja12.11804

Topics

To the Editor: The recent article by Elshaug and colleagues identifying potentially low-value health care practices1 does not distinguish between surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in adults (which is largely used as an adjunctive or salvage intervention in Australia) and children (which is primarily a first-line intervention).

Illawarra ENT Head and Neck Clinic, Wollongong, NSW.

Correspondence: alana@illawarraent.com.au

Acknowledgements:

This letter is supported by the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

1. Elshaug AG, Watt AM, Mundy L, Willis CD. Over 150 potentially low-value health care practices: an Australian study. Med J Aust 2012; 197: 556-560. <MJA full text>
2. Weaver EM, Maynard C, Yueh B. Survival of veterans with sleep apnea: continuous positive airway pressure versus surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004; 130: 659-665.
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8. MacKay SG, Carney AS, Woods C, et al. Modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and coblation channelling of the tongue for obstructive sleep apnea: a multi-centre Australian trial. J Clin Sleep Med 2013. In press.
9. Robinson S, Chia M, Carney AS, et al. Upper airway reconstructive surgery long-term quality of life outcomes compared with CPAP for adult obstructive sleep apnea. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2009; 141: 257-263.

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