Association between the Orthopaedic Trauma Society classification of open fractures and economic costs. (1st March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Png, May E.; Petrou, Stavros; Bourget-Murray, Jonathan; Knight, Ruth; Trompeter, Alex J.; Costa, Matt L.
• Is Part Of: Bone & joint journal. Volume 104B:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2022-03-01
• Subjects: Open fracture -- Cost -- Classification -- open fractures -- Orthopaedic Trauma -- complex fractures -- wound -- open fractures of the lower limb -- simple fractures -- clinical outcomes -- wound debridement -- clinical trials -- reconstructive procedure; Bones -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Joints -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; 617.47005
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.104B3.BJJ-2021-1237.R1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-4394

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Orthopaedic Trauma Society (OTS) classification of open fractures and economic costs. Methods: Resource use was measured during the six months that followed open fractures of the lower limb in 748 adults recruited as part of two large clinical trials within the UK Major Trauma Research Network. Resource inputs were valued using unit costs drawn from primary and secondary sources. Economic costs (GBP sterling, 2017 to 2018 prices), estimated from both a NHS and Personal Social Services (PSS) perspective, were related to the degree of complexity of the open fracture based on the OTS classification. Results: Adjusted mean total NHS and PSS costs were £13, 785 following treatment of complex fractures and £3, 550 following treatment of simple fractures, where the open fracture wound is closed at the end of the first wound debridement, generating a mean difference of £10, 235 (95% confidence interval £8, 074 to £12, 396). Conclusion: Following previous work correlating clinical outcomes with the OTS classification of open fractures, this study suggests that the new OTS classification also correlates with economic costs estimated from alternative study perspectives. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(3):408–412.