Resource utilization in primary repair of cleft lip.

OBJECTIVE: To determine national variations in resource utilization for primary repair of cleft lip, identify patient and institutional factors associated with high resource use, and estimate the current incidence of cleft lip in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a national, pediatric database (2009 Kids' Inpatient Database [KID]).

METHODS: Patients aged 1 year and younger were selected using international classification of disease codes for cleft lip and procedure codes for cleft lip repair. A number of demographic variables were analyzed, and hospital charges were considered as a measure of resource utilization.

RESULTS: There were 1318 patients identified. The national incidence was 0.09%, with a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. Regional incidence varied from 0.07% (Northeast) to 0.10% (West). The mean age at surgery was 4.2 months. The average length of stay was 1.4 days. The national average hospital charge was $20,147, ranging from $14,635 (South) to $23,663 (West). Teaching hospitals charge an average of $9764 higher than nonteaching hospitals. The strongest predictor of charge was length of stay, increasing charge by $8102 for every additional hospital day (P < .01).

CONCLUSION: Regional variations exist in resource utilization for primary cleft lip repair. Resource use is higher in the West and among teaching hospitals.