Cost Analysis in Shoulder Surgery: A Systematic Review

Trends and Themes in the Study of Value in Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Background

The study of value in orthopedic surgery aims to maximize health outcomes gained per unit cost through various health economic tools but is fragmented across various subspecialties and geographies. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain whether this research methodology is being used to its full potential across all orthopedic subspecialties and geographies.

Purpose

We sought to assess the distribution of prior health economics literature in orthopedic surgery across subspecialties and geographies. The secondary aim was to identify pertinent methodologic trends that may affect the conclusions drawn.

Methods

A systematic review utilizing 3 electronic databases (Medline, Embase, and Web of Science) was performed. Inclusion criteria included prior systematic reviews assessing economic analyses across all orthopedic surgery subspecialities published between 2010 and April 24, 2021. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Review tool. Data were qualitatively analyzed.

Results

In the 44 studies included, arthroplasty (36.4%) and spine (31.8%) were the most represented subspecialties. Almost half of studies originated from the United States (45.5%), followed by the United Kingdom (18.2%). Health economic models were most commonly from the perspective of the health care or hospital system (40.5%), followed by the societal perspective (23.5%), and the payer perspective (14.8%).

Conclusions

The study of value in orthopedic surgery is not uniformly leveraged across all subspecialties and geographies. Methodologically, the societal perspective was inadequately represented, despite orthopedic pathologies often incurring significant indirect costs (eg, time off work, rehabilitation expenses).

The health economic analysis of surgery versus rehabilitation in non-traumatic musculoskeletal shoulder disorders: A systematic review of trial-based studies

OBJECTIVE

Non-traumatic musculoskeletal shoulder disorders are common. Their treatment, surgical or non-surgical, is associated with a considerable financial burden to health systems. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the cost-effectiveness of surgical or rehabilitative treatments in this population.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis registry, PEDro Database, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar.

REVIEW METHODS

Trial-based economic evaluations assessing nonoperative and/or operative interventions for the management of non-traumatic shoulder disorders, published from January 2000 to October 2024, were searched. The selection process, data extraction and quality assessment (carried out with the Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument) were independently conducted by two reviewers.

RESULTS

Four studies (883 patients) were included in the review. Subacromial decompression for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain was found not to be cost-effective when compared with physiotherapy. Although it was not as cost-effective, Physiotherapy could be a socially beneficial alternative to mobilisation under anaesthesia in the early management of a frozen shoulder, due to lower costs and the delays in accessing surgical management in the pain-predominant phase. Productivity loss was the main driver of costs. It was not possible to determine the cost-effectiveness of other shoulder-related disorders due to sparsity of evidence.

CONCLUSION

Priority should be given to interventions that reduce productivity loss and facilitate patients' return to work as soon as possible. There is a definite need for multiplication and standardization of high-quality economic studies (and the trials they are based on) regarding the management of non-traumatic musculoskeletal shoulder disorders.

Comparison of current relative value unit-based prices and utility between common surgical procedures, including orthopedic surgeries, in South Korea

BACKGROUND

The medical pricing system strongly influences physicians' job satisfaction and patient health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the current relative value unit (RVU)-based pricing and utility of patients in commonly performed surgical procedures in South Korea.

METHODS

Fifteen common surgical procedures were selected from OECD statistics, and three additional orthopedic procedures were examined. The current pricing of each surgical procedure was retrieved from the Korea National Health Insurance Service, and the corresponding utilities were obtained as quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains from previous studies. The relationship between the current prices (RVUs) and the patients' utility (incremental QALY gains/year) was analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed between fatal and non-fatal procedures and between orthopedic and non-orthopedic procedures.

RESULTS

A significant negative correlation (r = - 0.558, p < 0.001) was observed between RVU and incremental QALY among all 18 procedures. The fatal subgroup had a significantly higher RVU than the non-fatal subgroup (p < 0.05), while the former had a significantly lower incremental QALY than the latter (p < 0.001). Orthopedic procedures showed higher incremental QALY values than non-orthopedic procedures, but they did not show higher prices (RVU).

CONCLUSIONS

This paradoxical relationship between current prices and patient utility is attributed to the higher pricing of surgical procedures for fatal and urgent conditions. Orthopedic surgery has been found to be a cost-effective treatment strategy. These findings could contribute to a better understanding of the potential role of incremental QALY in pursuing value-based purchasing or reasonable modification of the current medical fee schedule.

Management of acute grade IV and greater acromioclavicular dislocations: Open acromioclavicular brace versus arthroscopic double DogBone® endobutton

INTRODUCTION

Several surgical techniques exist to manage grade IV acute acromioclavicular dislocation (ACD). However, the conventional acromioclavicular brace technique (ACB) has never been compared to the arthroscopic DogBone® (DB) double endobutton technique. The aim of this work was to compare the functional and radiological results of DB stabilization with those of ACB.

HYPOTHESIS

DB stabilization provides similar functional results with a low rate of radiological recurrences compared to ACB.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a case-control study comparing 17 cases of ACD operated by DB (DB group) between January 2016 and January 2021 with 31 cases of ACD operated by ACB (ACB group) between January 2008 and January 2016. The primary outcome was the difference in the D/A ratio (reflecting vertical displacement) measured on an anteroposterior acromioclavicular (AC) X-ray compared between the 2 groups at one-year after surgery. The secondary outcome was a clinical evaluation at one-year using the Constant score and clinical AC instability.

RESULTS

At revision, the mean D/A ratio in the DB and ACB groups was 0.4±0.5 [-0.4-1.6] and 1.6±0.3 [0.8-3.1] respectively (p>0.05). Two patients (11.7%) in the DB group had implant migration with radiological recurrence while 14 patients (33%) had radiological recurrence in the ACB group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The DB technique limits the radiographic recurrence of acute ACD with an equivalent functional result at 1-year postoperatively compared to the conventional ACB technique, which implicitly requires a second operation for hardware removal. The DB technique has become the technique of choice in first-line treatment of acute grade IV ACD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III; retrospective case-control series.

Rotator Cuff Repair and Overlay Augmentation by Direct Interlocking of a Nonwoven Polyethylene Terephthalate Patch Into the Tendon: Evaluation in an Ovine Model

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic repair of large rotator cuff tendon tears is associated with high rates of retear. Construct failure often occurs at the suture-tendon interface. Patch augmentation can improve mechanical strength and healing at this interface.

PURPOSE

To introduce a novel technique for suture-free attachment of an overlaid patch and evaluate its biomechanical strength and biological performance.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive and controlled laboratory studies.

METHODS

An established ovine model of partial infraspinatus tendon resection and immediate repair was used. After a nonwoven polyethylene terephthalate patch was overlaid to the resected tendon, a barbed microblade was used to draw fibers of the patch directly into the underlying tissue. In vivo histological assessment of healing was performed at 6 and 13 weeks after implantation. Ex vivo models were used to characterize primary repair strength of the suture-free patch fixation to tendon. Additional ex vivo testing assessed the potential of the technique for patch overlay augmentation of suture-based repair.

RESULTS

The in vivo study revealed no macroscopic evidence of adverse tissue reactions to the interlocked patch fibers. Histological testing indicated a normal host healing response with minimal fibrosis. Uniform and aligned tissue ingrowth to the core of the patch was observed from both the tendon and the bone interfaces to the patch. There was no evident retraction of the infraspinatus muscle, lengthening of the tendon, or tendon gap formation over 13 weeks. Ex vivo testing revealed that direct patch interlocking yielded tendon purchase equivalent to a Mason-Allen suture (150 ± 58 vs 154 ± 49 N, respectively; P = .25). In an overlay configuration, fiber interlocked patch augmentation increased Mason-Allen suture retention strength by 88% (from 221 ± 43 N to 417 ± 86 N; P < .01) with no detectable difference in repair stiffness.

CONCLUSION

Testing in an ovine model of rotator cuff tendon repair suggested that surgical interlocking of a nonwoven medical textile can provide effective biomechanical performance, support functional tissue ingrowth, and help avoid musculotendinous retraction after surgical tendon repair.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The novel technique may facilitate patch augmentation of rotator cuff repairs.

Subacromial Balloon Implantation for the Treatment of Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears

Despite the development of various therapeutic options, surgical management of irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs) remains controversial. Recently, implantation of a biodegradable subacromial balloon spacer (InSpace, Stryker Corporation; Kalamazoo, MI) has gained considerable interest for the treatment of certain IRCTs. The reported outcome of balloon implantation has not been consistent, likely due to differing indications and technical approaches. The purpose of this article is to present a reproducible arthroscopic technique for implantation of a subacromial balloon and to review the literature published to date, regarding the efficacy and outcomes of this procedure.

An Analysis of Shoulder Surgeon Volume on Surgeon Competency, Hospital Costs, and Adverse Events: A Systematic Review

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the impact of shoulder surgeon volume of common shoulder procedures on hospital/surgeon efficiency, adverse events, and hospital costs.

Methods

Four online databases (PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL) were searched for literature on the influence of surgeon volume on outcomes for shoulder surgery, from data inception to October 1, 2020. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies tool was used to assess study quality. Data are presented descriptively.

Results

Twelve studies encompassing 150,898 patients were included in this review. The distribution of surgery type was rotator cuff repair (53.7%; n = 81,066), shoulder arthroplasty (35.7%; n = 53,833), and ORIF (10.6%; n = 15,999). Higher surgeon volume for rotator cuff repairs was associated with lower surgical time, length of stay, costs, and reoperation/readmission rates. For shoulder arthroplasty, higher surgeon volume was associated with lower length of stay, costs, surgical time, non-routine disposition, blood loss, reoperation/readmission, and complications. As for ORIF, higher surgeon volume was associated with lower length of stay, costs, and complications.

Conclusion

A high surgical volume leads to improved results for hospital/surgeon efficiency and reduces adverse events and hospital costs across various orthopaedic procedures. Hospitals and physicians can use this information to develop and adhere to policies and practices that contribute to more efficient and better-quality care for patients.

Level of Evidence

III.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of arthroscopic Bankart repair versus open Latarjet reconstruction in anterior shoulder instability

PURPOSE

The ideal surgical treatment for anterior shoulder instability is still under debate. In the healthcare setting, both clinical and economic factors must be considered for optimal resource allocation. From the clinical perspective, the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS) is a helpful and validated tool for surgeons, although a gray area between 4 and 6 exists. In fact, patients with an ISIS < 4 and > 6 can be treated effectively with arthroscopic Bankart repair and open Latarjet, respectively. The purpose of this study was to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of arthroscopic Bankart repair versus open Latarjet in patients with an ISIS between 4 and 6.

METHODS

A decision-tree model was constructed to simulate the clinical scenario of an anterior shoulder dislocation patient with an ISIS between 4 and 6. Based on previously published literature, outcome probabilities and utility values in the form of Western Ontario Instability Score (WOSI) were assigned to each branch of the tree, alongside institutional cost. The primary outcome assessed was an Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the two procedures. Eden-Hybbinette was also considered in the model as a salvage procedure for failed Latarjet. A two-way sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most impactful parameters on the ICER upon their variation within a pre-determined interval.

RESULTS

Base case cost was 1245.57 € (1220.48-1270.65 €) for arthroscopic Bankart repair, 1623.10 € (1580.82-1665.39 €) for open Latarjet and 2.373.95 € (1940.81-2807.10 €) for Eden-Hybbinette. Base-case ICER was 9570.23 €/WOSI. Sensitivity analysis showed that the most impactful parameters were the utility of arthroscopic Bankart repair, the probability of success of open Latarjet, the probability of undergoing surgery after post-operative recurrence of instability and the utility of Latarjet. Of these, utility of arthroscopic Bankart repair and Latarjet had the most significant impact on the ICER.

CONCLUSION

From a hospital perspective, open Latarjet was more cost-effective than arthroscopic Bankart repair in preventing further shoulder instability in patients with an ISIS between 4 and 6. Despite its several limitations, this is the first study to analyze this subgroup of patients from a European hospital setting from both an economic and clinical perspective. This study can help surgeons and administrations in the decision-making process. Further clinical studies are needed to prospectively analyze both aspects to further delineate the best strategy.

Cost comparison and complication profiles of superior capsular reconstruction, lower trapezius transfer, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty for irreparable rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND

Irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs) pose treatment challenges both clinically and financially. As cost-effectiveness initiatives are prioritized, value-based health care delivery models are becoming increasingly common. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the cost, complications, and readmission rates of 3 common surgical treatment options for IRCTs: superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), arthroscopically assisted lower trapezius tendon transfer (LTTT), and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA).

METHODS

Between 2018 and 2020, 155 patients who underwent shoulder surgery at a single institution for IRCT with minimal to no arthritis were identified. Procedures performed included 20 SCRs, 47 LTTTs, and 88 RSAs. A cost analysis was designed to include a period of 60 days preoperatively, the index surgical hospitalization, and 90 days postoperatively, including costs of any readmission or reoperation.

RESULTS

Mean standardized costs were as follows: preoperative evaluation SCR $507, LTTT $507, and RSA $730; index surgical hospitalization SCR $19,675, LTTT $15,722, and RSA $16,077; and postoperative care SCR $655, LTTT $686, and RSA $404. Significant differences were observed in the index surgical costs (P < .001), with SCR incurring an additional average cost of $3953 and $3598 compared with LTTT and RSA, respectively. The 90-day complication, reoperation, and readmission rates were 0%, 0%, and 0% in the SCR group; 2.1%, 0%, and 0% in the LTTT group; and 3.4%, 0%, and 1.1% in the RSA group, respectively. With the numbers available, differences among the 3 surgical procedures with respect to complication (P = .223), reoperation (P = .999), and readmission rates (P = .568) did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean standardized costs for the treatment of 3 common IRCT procedures inclusive of 60-day workup and 90-day postoperative recovery were $16,915, $17,210, and $20,837 for LTTT, RSA (average added cost $295), and SCR (average added cost $3922), respectively. This information may provide surgeons and institutions with cost-related information that will become increasingly relevant with the expansion of value-based surgical reimbursements.

Comparison of outpatient vs. inpatient anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty: a propensity score–matched analysis of 20,035 procedures

Background

As the proportion of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) operations performed at outpatient surgical sites continues to increase, it is important to evaluate the clinical implications of this evolution in care.

Methods

Patients who underwent TSA for glenohumeral osteoarthritis from 2007 to 2019 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry. Demographic data and 30-day outcomes were collected, and patients were separated into inpatient and outpatient (defined as same day discharge) groups. To control for confounding variables, a propensity score–matching algorithm was utilized. Outcomes included 30-day adverse events, readmission, and operative time.

Results

A total of 20,035 patients who underwent aTSA between 2007 and 2019 were identified: 18,707 inpatient aTSAs and 1328 outpatient aTSAs. On matching, there were no significant differences in patient characteristics between inpatient and outpatient cohorts. Patients who underwent outpatient aTSA were less likely to experience a serious adverse event when compared with their matched inpatient aTSA counterparts (outpatient: 1.1% vs. inpatient: 2.1%, P = .03). Outpatient aTSA was associated with similar rates of all specific individual complications and readmissions (1.5% vs. 1.9%, P = .31).

Conclusion

When compared with a propensity score–matched cohort of inpatient counterparts, the present study found outpatient aTSA was associated with significantly reduced severe adverse events and similar readmission rates. These findings support the growing use of outpatient aTSA in appropriately selected patients.

Shoulder conditions and health related quality of life and utility: a current concepts review

Study of the outcome of treatment of shoulder conditions has emphasized subjective evaluation of outcomes including a variety of disease, region, and joint-specific tools. In response to the rapidly rising cost of health care, further interest has been directed to cost-effectiveness and value. Comparison of the outcomes of different shoulder conditions with each other, other musculoskeletal, and nonorthopedic conditions requires more generalized outcome tools, especially when considering cost-effectiveness and utility analysis. The concept of quality of life (QoL) was developed to satisfy this goal, and there are a variety of general health and QoL assessments tools available. The purpose of this study is to review the concept of health-related QoL and discuss health-related QoL measures as they relate to shoulder conditions.

Does prevention pay off? Economic aspects of sports injury prevention: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To identify, summarise and critically assess economic evaluation studies on sports injury prevention strategies.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, SportDiscuss.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

The current literature was searched following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Economic analyses published since 2010 were checked for inclusion. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Oxford Level of Evidence for economic and decision analysis; underlying randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were rated according to the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale, and risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.

RESULTS

Ten studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The quality assessment revealed limited data quality. For trial-based analysis, underlying RCTs were of good quality and had a low risk of bias. Prevention concepts for general injury reduction showed effectiveness and cost savings. Regarding specific injury types, the analysis of the studies showed that the best data are available for ankle, hamstring and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Measures using specific training interventions were the predominant form of prevention concepts; studies investigating these concepts showed cost-effectiveness with total cost savings between €24.82 and €462 per athlete.

CONCLUSION

Injury prevention strategies that were studied are cost-effective. However, estimates and outcomes vary throughout the included studies, and precluded pooling of existing data. Knowledge about the cost-effectiveness of evaluated prevention measures will help improve the acceptance and application of prevention initiatives.