Hand surgery volume and the US economy: is there a statistical correlation?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Health Economics

Background:

• No prior studies evaluated the correlation between the US economy and hand surgery volume.
• The study was prompted by the recent economic recession.
• Investigated the relationship between hand surgery volume and national economic indicators over 17 years.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the correlation between hand surgery volume and the US economy.
• To compare trends in hand surgery volume with cosmetic plastic surgery volume.
• To understand how economic fluctuations impact surgical practice patterns.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of hand surgery volume (carpal tunnel release) from 1992-2008.
• Included liposuction and breast augmentation as cosmetic surgery comparison groups.
• Utilized Pearson correlation statistics with Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S&P500 market indices.

Main Results:

• A total of 7884 carpal tunnel release cases were identified.
• Plastic surgery hand surgery volume showed a strong negative correlation with the economy (P < 0.001).
• Orthopedic hand surgery volume and cosmetic procedures (liposuction, breast augmentation) showed positive correlations (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Plastic surgeons' hand surgery volume inversely correlates with US economic indicators.
• Orthopedic hand surgery and cosmetic surgery volumes positively correlate with economic indicators.
• Plastic surgeons may shift focus between cosmetic and hand surgery based on economic conditions.