Trigger finger release in OR at one center associated with higher cost vs in the procedure room

LAS VEGAS — Trigger finger release performed in the OR was more costly than when performed in the procedure room, according to results for one academic medical center that were presented at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting.

Using a value-driven outcomes database, Andrew R. Stephens, BS, and colleagues calculated the total direct costs of isolated unilateral trigger finger release across surgical settings and anesthesia types.

Among the 210 patients included in the final analysis, Stephens noted 54% and 46% of the procedures were performed in the procedure room and OR, respectively.

“Compared to local-only [anesthesia] in the procedure room, the median cost was 2.2-fold greater for OR with local-only [anesthesia] and 3.2-fold greater for OR with [monitored anesthesia care] MAC,” Stephens said in his presentation here.

Multivariable gamma regression models showed use of the OR independently led to a 221% greater mean cost than the procedure room when controlling for anesthesia type, provider and digit type.

“For trigger fingers treated in the OR, the use of MAC was associated with 30% greater mean cost than local-only OR cases, independent of provider and digit planned,” Stephens said. – by Casey Tingle

Reference:

Stephens AR, et al. Abstract 26. Presented at: American Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting; Sept. 5-7, 2019; Las Vegas.

Disclosure: Stephens reports no relevant financial disclosures.