[Perioperative cost analysis of cemented versus uncemented total hip endoprostheses for clinical and economic management. Postoperative follow-up study over one year].

QUESTIONS

Are there and what are the differences between in-patient and out-patient costs for cemented or noncemented hip prosthesis? How to make it possible to keep in-patient costs within the limit of the a special global amount ("Fallpauschale")?

METHODS

In this study we compared in-patient and out-patient costs of 30 patients with cemented and 30 patients with noncemented hip prosthesis during the first year after surgery. We developed a perioperative management in order to keep the costs in the limits of the "Fallpauschale".

RESULTS

The average in-patient cost for the cemented prosthesis group was DM 19.644,89 and for the non-cemented group DM 20.485,33. In both groups these costs went beyond the "Fallpauschale" (DM 18.643,80). Comparing the two groups we found significant differences in costs for the endoprosthesis and for laboratory costs. We discovered a suitable perioperative management to keep costs below the "Fallpauschale".

CONCLUSION

Using an appropriate perioperative management it is possible to keep costs in the given limits.