COST-ANALYSIS FOR TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY BY MEASUREMENT OF TIME AND MATERIAL EXPENDITURE

We prospectively determined the total cost of total hip arthroplasty i n 26 consecutive cases by comprehensive measurement of time consumptio n and detailed data acquisition for material consumption including eve ry single item. The average partial cost caused by complications was c alculated through the average prolongation of hospitalization in 1550 cases. Expenses of 18 660 DM for a hospitalization period of 23 days a nd 2/3 cementless arthroplasties were just covered by the diagnosis-re lated reimbursement, even though quality improvement measures like opt imized cementing techniques, jet lavage, intraoperative X-ray control, autologous blood collection, and retransfusion sets were employed.