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Hospital cost of treating early dislocation following hip arthroplasty
Luigi de Palma1, Roberto Procaccini, Andrea Soccetti
1Orthopaedic Department, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. l.depalma@univpm.it
Insights
Hip arthroplasty dislocation significantly increases treatment costs. Early dislocation raised costs for hemiarthroplasty by 472%, total hip arthroplasty by 342%, and revision surgery by 352%.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Health Economics
Background:
- Dislocation is a common and expensive complication following hip arthroplasty.
- Understanding the financial burden of dislocation is crucial for healthcare institutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the financial impact of early hip arthroplasty dislocation on the treating institution.
- To compare the cost increase across different hip arthroplasty procedures: hemiarthroplasty (HA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and revision surgery (RTHA).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 2014 hip arthroplasties performed between October 2001 and August 2009.
- Identified 87 cases of dislocation within 6 weeks of the primary operation.
- Assessed the average cost of treating dislocations (closed reduction, open reduction, revision) and calculated the percentage cost increase compared to uncomplicated procedures.
Main Results:
- Of 87 dislocated implants, all required closed reduction, and 52 necessitated revision surgery.
- Early dislocation increased the cost of hemiarthroplasty (HA) by 472%.
- Early dislocation increased the cost of total hip arthroplasty (THA) by 342% and revision hip arthroplasty (RTHA) by 352%.
Conclusions:
- Hip arthroplasty dislocations represent a substantial financial burden on healthcare providers.
- The cost implications of dislocation vary depending on the type of hip arthroplasty procedure performed.
Abstract:
Dislocation is a frequent and costly complication of hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess the financial impact on the treating institution of this complication in patients with primary hemiarthroplasty (HA), total hip arthroplasty (THA) and revision surgery (RTHA). Between October 2001 and August 2009, 2014 consecutive hip arthroplasties were performed at our institution, of which 87 (18 HA, 44 THA and 25 RTHA) dislocated within 6 weeks of the primary operation. The average cost of treating implant dislocation by closed reduction, open reduction or revision was assessed and expressed as a percentage cost increase compared to an uncomplicated procedure. Of the 87 dislocated implants all needed one or more closed reductions and 52 eventually required revision surgery. An early dislocation increased the cost of HA, THA and RTHA by 472%, 342% and 352%, respectively.
