Cost analysis for total hip arthroplasty by measurement of time and material expenditure

We prospectively determined the total cost of total hip arthroplasty in 26 consecutive cases by comprehensive measurement of time consumption and detailed data acquisition for material consumption including every single item. The average partial cost caused by complications was calculated through the average prolongation of hospitalization in 1550 cases. Expenses of 18,660 DM for a hospitalization period of 23 days and 2/3 cementless arthroplasties were just covered by the diagnosis-related reimbursement, even though quality improvement measures like optimized cementing techniques, jet lavage, intraoperative X-ray control, autologous blood collection, and retransfusion sets were employed.