Cost Analysis and Surgical Site Infection Rates in Total Knee Arthroplasty Comparing Traditional vs. Single-Use Instrumentation

J Arthroplasty. 2015 Dec;30(12):2271-4. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2015.05.037. Epub 2015 May 29.

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if traditional vs. single-use instrumentation had an effect on SSI's. We compared SSI rates and costs of TKAs performed with single-use (449) and traditional (169) TKA instrumentation trays. Total OR Time was, on average, 30 min less when single-use instrumentation was used. SSIs decreased in the single-use group (n=1) compared to the traditional group (n=5) (P=0.006). Single-use instrumentation added $490 in initial costs; however it saved between $480 and $600. Single-use instrumentation may provide a benefit to the patient by potentially decreasing the risk of infection and reducing the overall hospital costs.

Keywords: cost analysis; operating room effeciency; single use instrumentation; surgical site infection; total knee arthroplasty.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / adverse effects
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / economics*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / instrumentation*
  • Disposable Equipment / economics*
  • Hospital Costs
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surgical Wound Infection / economics
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology