Purpose: To compare the economic costs associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
using either autograft or allograft. The surgical costs are reported, including charge
categories, for each procedure. All operations were performed in the Southern United
States of America. Type of Study: Evaluation of cost data collected from a group of patients participating in a prospective,
nonrandomized trial. Methods: A total of 122 patients with ACL-deficient knees undergoing surgical reconstruction
using either bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft (n = 86) or freeze-dried Achilles
tendon allograft (n = 37) were analyzed (1 patient underwent 2 allograft reconstructions).
Patient selection for groups was based on the physician performing the surgery (2
surgeons performed autografts and 1 performed allografts). Groups were compared with
respect to age, sex, race, and occupation. Hospital charge data were retrieved from
the billing department and divided into various categories for comparison of the 2
groups. Results: The mean hospital charge for ACL reconstruction was $4,622 for allograft and $5,694
for autograft (P < .0001). Differences included increased operating room time and a greater likelihood
of overnight hospitalization for autograft procedures. This was slightly offset by
higher charges for operating room supplies for allograft reconstructions owing to
the cost of the graft itself. Conclusions: Allograft reconstruction of the ACL was significantly less expensive than autograft
bone–patellar tendon–bone reconstruction. Allograft ACL reconstruction is a less costly
alternative to autograft reconstruction. Level of Evidence: Level IV, economic analysis with no sensitivity analysis.
Key Words
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to ArthroscopyAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Current trends in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Part II: Operative procedures and clinical correlations.Am J Sports Med. 2000; 28: 124-130
- Allograft versus autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Clin Orthop. 1996; 324: 134-144
- Quadriceps strength and functional capacity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Patellar tendon autograft versus allograft.Am J Sports Med. 1993; 21: 738-743
- Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone–patellar tendon–bone allograft or autograft. A prospective study with an average follow up of 4 years.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1986; 6: 224-230
- Comparison of perioperative morbidity of anterior cruciate ligament autografts versus allografts.Arthroscopy. 1993; 9: 519-524
- Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with human allograft.J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1996; 78: 524-537
- The use of allograft.Clin Sports Med. 1993; 12: 757-770
- Quantitative evaluation after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Allograft versus autograft.Am J Sports Med. 1993; 21: 609-616
- Patellofemoral problems after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Am J Sports Med. 1989; 17: 760-765
- Indirect forces and patellar fracture after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the patellar ligament. Case report.Am J Knee Surg. 1995; 8: 60-64
- Comparison of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using patellar tendon autograft or allograft.Arthroscopy. 1996; 12: 414-421
- Graft selection in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Int Orthop. 1997; 21: 93-97
- Autograft versus allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Arthroscopy. 1997; 13: 446-449
- Update.Mor Mortal Wkly Rep CDC Surveill Summ. 2002; 51: 207-210
Article info
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
