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Costs for septic revisions higher than aseptic revisions
Costs for septic revisions were more than twice as high compared with aseptic revisions, according to study results.
For an analysis of the major variable direct costs involved in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for aseptic and septic failure, researchers retrospectively reviewed data from 144 patients treated with revision THA for aseptic and septic failure between January 2009 and March 2012. Diagnosis of aseptic or septic loosening was based on the presence of typical pain in the leg, imaging evidence of loosening, and characteristic laboratory and pathophysiologic parameters in blood and biopsy specimens from the joint.
Overall, the mean direct cost for patients who underwent THA was $7,339.90. The average cost difference between aseptic and septic procedures was $8,892.50, with septic procedures costing significantly more, according to the researchers. The researchers also found the mean implant costs of septic procedures were significantly higher vs. mean implant cost of aseptic procedures.
The largest component of the complete cost of hip revision was surgery, followed by normal ward costs and intensive care unit costs. Cases with a high level of bone loss, as e=well as those with intraoperative and postoperative complications, led to outstanding costs, according to the researchers.
Mean staff cost for surgery was $1,412.10 lower for aseptic procedures vs. septic intervention.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.