Surgeons' Knowledge about the Costs of Orthopaedic Implants. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rohman, Lebur; Hadi, Saifullah; Whitwell, George
• Is Part Of: Journal of orthopaedic surgery. Volume 22:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: arthroplasty, replacement, hip -- arthroplasty, replacement, knee -- prostheses and implants; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics; Orthopedic surgery; Periodicals; 617.3
• DOI: 10.1177/230949901402200222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-5536

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate consultant surgeons' knowledge about the costs of implants for various joint surgeries. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to consultant orthopaedic surgeons at 2 hospitals. Respondents were asked to estimate the implant costs of any brand for low-demand and high-demand total hip replacement (THR), total knee replacement (TKR), uni-compartmental knee replacement, arthroscopy shaver blade, total anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) fixation, and meniscal repair. The actual cost of each implant was obtained from the manufacturer. Results: 16 consultant surgeons completed the questionnaires. The respective mean estimated and actual costs for a low-demand THR implant were £1714 (range, £600–3000) and £1448 (range, £985–2335), with an overestimation of 18.4%. The respective costs for a high-demand THR implant were £2172 (range, £600–6000) and £1737 (range, £1192–2335), with an overestimation of 25%. The respective costs for a TKR implant were £1550 (range, £600–6000) and £1316 (range, £995–1535), with an overestimation of 17.8%. The respective costs for a uni-compartmental knee replacement implant were £1040 (range, £600–2000) and £1296 (range, £698–1470), with an underestimation of 19.7%. The respective costs for an arthroscopy shaver blade were £110 (range, £75–150) and £94 (range, £80–100), with an overestimation of 16.6%. The respective costs for a total ACL fixation implant were £246 (range, £80–500) and £306 (range, £272–335), with an underestimation of 19.4%. The respective costs for a meniscal repair implant were £153 (range, £50–250) and £242 (range, £170–260), with an underestimation of 37%. Conclusion: The knowledge among consultant orthopaedic surgeons about implant costs was poor. To reduce implant costs, cooperation between surgeons and hospital managers and measures to increase surgeons' awareness about cost-reduction programmes are needed.