Cost-effectiveness model comparing dual-mobility to fixed-bearing designs for total hip replacement in France.

BACKGROUND: Instability is among the main causes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) failure. In clinical studies, THA with a dual-mobility cup (THA-DM) decreased the risk of instability after primary THA compared to THA with a fixed-bearing design (THA-FB). However, whether THA-DM is more cost-effective than THA-FB has not been established using Markov modelling with determination of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The objectives of this work were to: (1) measure the efficiency of these two options, (2) use the nationwide hospital electronic database (PMSI) to estimate direct costs of dislocations and revisions for instability, and (3) conduct deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to estimate potential mean annual cost-savings in France. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesised that primary THA-DM was cost-saving compared to primary THA-FB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the database, we identified 80,405 patients who had THA in 2009 and we collected their outcomes over 4 years (2009-2012). Cost-effectiveness was assessed based on the costs of resources used for all consequences of prosthetic dislocation and paid for by the statutory health insurance system or other sources. RESULTS: THA-DM was associated with a relative risk of dislocation of 0.4 versus THA-FB. This risk difference translated into 3283 fewer dislocations per 100,000 patients with THA-DM. The corresponding cost-savings for the 140,000 primary THA procedures done in France annually was 39.62 million Euros. A relative risk of 0.2 would yield annual cost-savings of 56.28 million Euros. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, THA-DM was the less costly option under all hypotheses, with potential maximum cost-savings of more than 100 million Euros per year in France. DISCUSSION: This comparative cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that THA-DM may induce substantial cost-savings compared to THA-FB. This possibility should be assessed by long-term clinical studies of new-generation DM prostheses.

A prospective outcome and cost-effectiveness comparison between two ligament reattachment techniques using suture anchors for chronic ankle instability.

BACKGROUND: There are various ligament reattachment techniques for the modified Brostrom procedure. There have been few comparative studies on recently developed techniques. This prospective study was performed to compare the functional outcomes of 2 different ligament reattachment techniques using suture anchors. We furthermore evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the suture bridge technique. METHODS: Forty-five amateur athletes under 30 years of age were followed for more than 2 years. Twenty-four procedures with the suture anchor technique and 21 procedures with the suture bridge technique were performed by one surgeon. The functional evaluation consisted of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Karlsson score, Sefton grading system, and the period to return to various forms of exercise (jogging, spurt running, jumping, one leg standing for >1 minute, walking on uneven ground, and going down stairs). Measurement of talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation was obtained from stress radiographs to evaluate mechanical stability. RESULTS: There were no significant differences on AOFAS score, FAOS, Karlsson score, Sefton grade, and stress radiographs. There were no significant differences on the return to exercises, except for jumping. As the most common complication, there were 3 cases of skin irritation by suture materials in the suture anchor group and 2 cases of intraoperative breakage of the suture anchor in suture bridge group. CONCLUSIONS: Both ligament reattachment techniques using suture anchors showed similar functional outcomes. Considering the additional medical expenses incurred by more suture anchors, the modified Brostrom procedure using the suture bridge technique had low cost-effectiveness. Proper indication and clinical usefulness of suture bridge technique for chronic ankle instability will be addressed in further studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Ankle Injury Management (AIM): design of a pragmatic multi-centre equivalence randomised controlled trial comparing Close Contact Casting (CCC) to Open surgical Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) in the treatment of unstable ankle fractures in patients over 60 years.

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures account for 9% of all fractures with a quarter of these occurring in adults over 60 years. The short term disability and long-term consequences of this injury can be considerable. Current opinion favours open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) over non-operative treatment (fracture manipulation and the application of a standard moulded cast) for older people. Both techniques are associated with complications but the limited published research indicates higher complication rates of fracture malunion (poor position at healing) with casting. The aim of this study is to compare ORIF with a modification of existing casting techniques, Close Contact Casting (CCC). We propose that CCC may offer an equivalent functional outcome to ORIF and avoid the risks associated with surgery. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a pragmatic multi-centre equivalence randomised controlled trial. 620 participants will be randomised to receive ORIF or CCC after sustaining an isolated displaced unstable ankle fracture. Participants will be recruited from a minimum of 20 National Health Service (NHS) acute hospitals throughout England and Wales. Participants will be aged over 60 years and be ambulatory prior to injury. Follow-up will be at six weeks and six months after randomisation. The primary outcome is the Olerud & Molander Ankle Score, a functional patient reported outcome measure, at 6 months. Follow-up will also include assessments of mobility, ankle range of movement, health related quality of life and complications. The six-month follow-up will be conducted face-to-face by an assessor blinded to the allocated intervention. A parallel economic evaluation will consider both a health service and a broader societal perspective including the individual and their family. In order to explore patient experience of their treatment and recovery, a purposive sample of 40 patients will also be interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule between 6-10 weeks post treatment. DISCUSSION: This multicentre study was open to recruitment July 2010 and recruitment is due to be completed in December 2013. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN04180738.

Is surgical fixation for stress-positive unstable ankle fractures cost effective? Results of a multicenter randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVES: A recent multicenter randomized control trial demonstrated similar quality of life at 1 year after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) compared with nonoperative treatment for stress-positive unstable isolated lateral malleolar fractures. We sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of ORIF compared with nonoperative management of these isolated lateral malleolar fractures. DESIGN: Cost-utility analysis using decision tree and Markov modeling based on data from a prospective randomized control trial and previously published literature. A single-payer perspective with 1-year and lifetime time horizons was adopted. SETTING: Clinical trial data from 6 Canadian level I trauma hospitals. INTERVENTION: Lateral malleolus ORIF versus nonoperative treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). RESULTS: The base case 1-year ICER of the ORIF treatment was $205,090 per quality-adjusted life year gained, favoring nonoperative treatment. For the lifetime time horizon, ORIF becomes the preferred treatment with an ICER of $16,404 per quality-adjusted life year gained. This conclusion is stable provided ORIF lowers the lifetime incidence of ankle arthrosis by >3% compared with nonoperative treatment. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that 33% of model simulations favored ORIF in the 1-year time horizon and 65% of simulations in the lifetime time horizon. CONCLUSIONS: From a single-payer governmental perspective, ORIF does not seem to be cost effective in the 1-year time horizon; however, if operative fixation decreases the lifetime incidence of posttraumatic ankle arthrosis by >3%, then ORIF becomes the economically preferred treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

[Operative treatment of instable osteoporotic spine fractures. A good guide in coding of diagnosis]. / Operative Versorgung instabiler osteoporotischer Wirbelsäulenfrakturen. Eine wichtige Kodierhilfe.

The combination of kyphoplasty and fixateur interne is an essential therapy with osteoporotic unstable fractures. Material costs of 5500 Euro are not sufficiently covered by returns through DRG I09. Thus operations are often performed in 2 stages, an initial one and a second 30 days later. This means more strain for the patient and partly also loss of correction. Therefore in 2008 we requested the InEK that codes for one-and two-segmental implantation of material in a vertebrae with preceding restoration of vertebral height (5-839.a0 and 5-839.a1) combined with a percutaneous dorsal operation with a screw-rod system in the future would be represented by I19B in G-DRG system with returns of 11,110,40 Euro. Prerequirement is coding of kyphoplastiy as main procedure and percutaneous implantation of a fixateur with procedure 5-835.5. Some procedures in orthopedic surgery implying technical improvements and rising implant costs are not sufficiently rewarded. Thus is make sense to inform InEK by corresponding proposals.

[Clinical results and economics of two primary total knee replacement systems implanted in standardised surgical technique]. / Klinischer und ökonomischer Vergleich zweier standardisiert implantierter Knieendoprothesenmodelle.

AIM: To evaluate the differences in clinical outcome and economics of primary total knee replacements, the results with two implant types (cruciate retaining and sacrificing) were analysed. METHOD: From 1/2000 until 6/2001 twenty-two consecutive patients with primary arthrosis of the knee underwent total knee replacement with the cruciate-retaining CKS-CC knee system (= group 1: 9 men, 13 women, mean age 65.68 years). Between 8/2001 and 3/2002 twenty-two consecutive patients received the cruciate-sacrificing NexGen Full Flex implant (= group 2: 4 men, 18 women, mean age 67.18 years). The operative procedures and rehabilitation regimes were standardised. The modified Insall score, patient satisfaction, as well as implant and rehabilitation costs were evaluated. Statistical analyses were based on two theses. I) There is no difference between the clinical early and five-year results of both groups. II) The more expensive NexGen implant is less economic regarding total costs per patient. RESULTS: The more expensive, cruciate-sacrificing NexGen implant showed significantly better clinical results (p = 0.0005) and higher patient satisfaction while rehabilitation costs were lower (p = 0.003). While the clinical results remained unchanged, the revision rate after 5 years for the NexGen System was lower. CONCLUSION: Not only minimally invasive surgery, but also choosing the right type of implant may lead to better early as well as mid-term clinical results in primary total knee arthroplasty. This may also reduce total costs per patient in primary total knee arthroplasty.

Proximal junctional acute collapse cranial to multi-level lumbar fusion: a cost analysis of prophylactic vertebral augmentation.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Limited data are available regarding incidence of proximal junctional acute collapse after multilevel lumbar spine fusion. There are no data regarding the cost of prophylactic vertebral augmentation adjacent to long lumbar fusions compared with the costs of performing revision fusion surgery for patients suffering with this complication. PURPOSE: To perform a cost analysis of prophylactic vertebral augmentation for prevention of proximal junctional acute collapse after multilevel lumbar fusion. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and cost analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE: All female patients older than 60 years undergoing extended lumbar fusions were reviewed to establish the incidence of proximal junctional acute collapse. OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost estimates for two-level vertebroplasty, two-level kyphoplasty, and revision instrumented fusion were calculated using billing data and cost-to-charge ratios. METHODS: Cost comparisons of prophylactic vertebral augmentation versus extension of fusion for patients suffering from proximal junctional acute collapse were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight female patients older than 60 years underwent lumbar fusions from L5 or S1 extending to the thoracolumbar junction (T9-L2). Fifteen of the 28 patients had prophylactic vertebroplasty cranial to the fused segment. Proximal junctional acute collapse requiring revision surgery occurred in 2 of the 13 patients (15.3%) treated without prophylactic vertebroplasty. None of the 15 patients undergoing cement augmentation experienced this complication. Assuming a 15% decrease in the incidence of proximal junctional acute collapse, the estimated cost to prevent a single proximal junctional acute collapse was $46,240 using vertebroplasty and $82,172 using kyphoplasty. Inpatient costs associated with a revision instrumented fusion averaged $77,432. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic vertebral augmentation for the prevention of proximal junctional acute collapse may be a cost effective intervention in elderly female patients undergoing extended lumbar fusions. Further efforts are needed to determine more precisely the incidence of proximal junctional acute collapse and the effects of various risk factors on increasing this incidence, as well as methods of prevention.

Economic evaluation of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of developmental hip dysplasia in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Clinical neonatal hip screening is performed to identify hip instability and the increased risk of later hip subluxation and dislocation. However, there is minimal information regarding the costs of such screening to parents and health services. The aim of this study was to assess these costs in association with the use of ultrasonography for the diagnosis and management of neonatal hip instability. METHODS: We conducted a prospective economic analysis in conjunction with a randomized clinical trial (the Hip Trial), for which 629 patients were recruited from thirty-three centers in the United Kingdom and Ireland to be randomized to undergo either ultrasonographic hip examination (314 patients) or clinical assessment alone (315 patients). Information on clinical outcomes was obtained from hospital records and records from the Hip Trial. Resource information was obtained from hospital records and from repeated periodic cross-sectional surveys of the families. Typical unit costs were applied to resource information to obtain a cost per patient, and the mean costs in the two study groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The average overall health-service cost per patient (and standard deviation) was $1298 +/- $2168 in the ultrasonography group and $1488 +/- $2912 in the group that underwent clinical assessment alone, a net difference of -$190 (95% confidence interval, -$630 to $250). Families in which the infant was examined with ultrasonography had significantly lower costs associated with splinting: $92 compared with $118 in the group that underwent clinical assessment alone, a mean difference of -$26 (95% confidence interval, -$46 to -$6). Costs associated with surgery and total costs to the family were also slightly, but not significantly, lower in the ultrasonography group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that use of ultrasonography in the management of neonates with clinical hip instability is unlikely to impose an increased cost burden and may reduce costs to health services and families.

[Open versus arthroscopic shoulder stabilization. An analysis of the treatment costs]. / Offene vs. arthroskopische anteriore Schulterstabilisierung. Eine Kostenvergleichsanalyse.

In this study the total costs of clinical open and arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization were evaluated, analyzed and compared. From 1988 to 1998 147 patients underwent open (Bankart) or arthroscopic (ASK) anterior shoulder stabilization. We randomized two groups of 30 patients for each method (Bankart: 25 male, 5 female, 29 years of age; ASK: 25 male, 5 female, 26 years of age) and evaluated the costs of their clinical treatment. The total cost was significantly ( p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U-Test) higher for the open (5639 euro) than for the arthroscopic (4601 euro) therapy. There was a significant difference between the groups for the average cost of surgery (Bankart: 2741 euro; ASK: 2315 euro, p<0.05) and the average postoperative treatment cost (Bankart: 2202 euro; ASK: 1630 euro, p<0.05) whereas the average preoperative treatment cost was not significantly different (Bankart: 669 euro, ASK: 657 euro). The staff costs for the surgical procedure (Bankart: 1800 euro (32%), ASK: 1319 euro (29%)) and the postoperative staff costs of the nurses (Bankart: 1271 euro (23%), ASK: 997 euro (22%)) represented the greatest parts of the total costs. The average duration of the clinical treatment was 15.8 days for the open- and 12,4 days for the arthroscopic group.

[The influence of rheumatoid and degenerative disease on hospital resources in the operative treatment of cervical spine instability]. / Einfluss einer rheumatischen oder degenerativen Grunderkrankung auf perioperative Aufwendungen in der Therapie der Halswirbelsäuleninstabilität.

The aim of this study was to compare perioperative diagnostic and therapeutic measures in the treatment of cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or degenerative disease. Twenty patients (ten in each group) were evaluated and compared with regard to age, sex, surgery time, total operating room time, intensive care time, extent of physical therapy, nursing requirements, costs of medication and radiography. Rheumatoid arthritis patients required more resources with regard to surgery, nursing and rehabilitation than the patients with degenerative disease. Significant differences existed with regard to patient age (P=0.0005), surgery time (P=0.0021), total operating room time (P=0.0001), duration of intensive care (P=0.0005), nursing requirements (P=0.0000), costs of medication (P=0.0000), costs of radiography (P=0.0015) and the duration of hospitalisation (P=0.0115). The data suggest that it is necessary to distinguish patients with rheumatoid or degenerative cervical spine instability from an economic point of view, as the treatment of the rheumatoid cervical spine requires more resources.

Flexion and extension views are not cost-effective in a cervical spine clearance protocol for obtunded trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Between 1994 and 1999, 837 flexion-extension cervical spine films (F/E) were ordered as part of a protocol to evaluate cervical stability in blunt trauma victims, particularly obtunded patients with otherwise normal films. After 5 years' experience with this protocol, a review of its efficiency and cost-effectiveness was performed. METHOD: The radiology reports and charts were reviewed for positive or suggestive F/E series. RESULTS: Nearly a third of all series were inadequate to rule out instability. Only four patients were identified who had decreased admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, normal plain films and/or CT, and positive or suggestive findings on F/E. One was felt to be a false positive, and the others had minor or borderline findings; all were treated with continuation of the cervical collar. Although one patient was lost to follow-up, none of the other three required subsequent surgery or developed deformity or neurologic injury. CONCLUSION: Flexion-extension studies were not a cost-effective part of the protocol, and they were dropped.

The diagnosis of PCL injury: literature review and introduction of two novel tests.

Isolated PCL injuries have become more prevalent in recent years, possibly as a result of improved awareness and clinical recognition. However, the diagnosis can be difficult, and many of these injuries continue to go undiagnosed. Several clinical tests for PCL laxity have been described over the years, with varying degrees of sensitivity and clinical applicability. These include the posterior drawer, the Muller Quadriceps Active Test, Godfrey's Test, Trillat's reverse lachman/total translation test, and the Dynamic Posterior Shift. All of these tests require significant posterior laxity associated with complete PCL disruption to be positive. Use of the KT-1000 arthrometer, and several radiographic tests have also been developed to help with diagnosis and quantification of laxity. It is the purpose of this paper to review the technique and application of the established diagnostic tests for PCL deficiency, and to introduce two new tests employed by the senior author for nearly three decades. It is the authors' experience that these new tests are sufficiently sensitive to allow the examiner to detect the presence of PCL insufficiency even in the most difficult diagnostic situations with subtle laxity.

Time off work due to scaphoid fractures and other carpal injuries in The Netherlands in the period 1990 to 1993.

This study assessed the epidemiology, treatment, disability and time off work due to carpal injuries in the Netherlands in the period from 1990 to 1993. Most injuries were scaphoid fractures and carpal instabilities were rare. The time off work was considerable (mean, 155 days; median, 105 days; range, 12-1708 days). Patients with non-scaphoid fractures had the shortest time off work, followed by those with scaphoid fractures; patients with carpal instabilities had the longest time off work. Despite the significant time off work, the prognosis for return to work was excellent.