Costs and Radiographic Outcomes of Rotational Ankle Fractures Treated by Orthopaedic Surgeons With or Without Trauma Fellowship Training. Issue 12 (15th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Virkus, Walter W.; Wetzel, Robert J.; McKinley, Todd O.; Sorkin, Anthony T.; Cheesman, Jeffrey S.; Hill, Lauren C.; Kempton, Laurence B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Volume 26:Issue 12(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-06-15
• Subjects: Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Joint Diseases -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery; Orthopedics; Periodicals; 616.7005
• DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00687
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-151X

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: We evaluated the radiographic outcomes and surgical costs of surgically treated rotational ankle fractures in our health system between providers who had completed a trauma fellowship and those who had not. Methods: We grouped patients into those treated by trauma-trained orthopaedic surgeons (TTOS) and non–trauma-trained orthopaedic surgeons (NTTOS). We graded the quality of fracture reductions and calculated implant-related costs of treatment. Results: A total of 208 fractures met the inclusion criteria, with 119 in the TTOS group and 89 in the NTTOS group. Five patients lost reduction during the follow-up period. The adequacy of fracture reduction at final follow-up did not differ ( P = 0.29). The median surgical cost was $2, 940 for the NTTOS group and $1, 233 for the TTOS group ( P < 0.001). Discussion: We found no notable differences in radiographic outcomes between the TTOS and NTTOS groups. Cost analysis demonstrated markedly higher implant-related costs for the NTTOS group, with the median surgical cost being more than twice that for the TTOS group. Level of Evidence: Level III