Cost Comparison of Surgically Treated Ankle Fractures Managed in an Inpatient Versus Outpatient Setting

Although choices physicians make profoundly affect the cost of health care, few surgeons know relative costs associated with the setting in which care is provided. Without valid cost information, surgeons cannot understand how their choices affect the total cost of care.

Actual costs for all isolated, surgically treated ankle fractures at a level I trauma hospital and affiliated outpatient surgery center were determined using a validated episode of care costing system and analyzed using multivariate regression analysis in this retrospective cohort study.

One hundred forty-eight patients (ie, 61 inpatients and 87 outpatients) with isolated, surgically treated ankle fractures were included. After controlling for confounding variables, outpatient care was associated with 31.6% lower costs compared with inpatient care. Obese patients had 21.6% higher costs compared with patients who were not obese. No difference was noted in revision surgery, readmission, or return visits to the emergency department for patients treated on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

Where medically/socially appropriate, this analysis suggests that ankle fracture surgery should be provided in an outpatient surgical facility to provide the greatest value to the patient and society.

Level III.