Comparison of the hospital cost of autograft versus allograft soft-tissue anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the cost of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with either hamstring autograft or tibialis anterior allograft. The hospital cost and charge data for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon using either tibialis anterior tendon allograft (n = 49) or hamstring tendon autograft (n = 49) were retrospectively obtained and analyzed. Costs were broken down into several categories for comparison. The surgeon, operative technique, and surgical team were controlled. The mean total hospital cost for ACL reconstruction was $4,072.02 for autograft and $5,195.19 for allograft, for a difference of $1,123.16 (P < .0001). The only other statistically significant differences found were in the costs of the supplies ($1,296.07 more for allograft, P < .0001) and the recovery room ($82.54 more for the autograft, P < .01). No statistically significant differences were found in the costs for the operating room, anesthesia, or pharmacy. In the setting of a high-volume, experienced surgical team, the additional cost of using an allograft for ACL reconstruction was not offset by the decreased operative and recovery room costs. Level III, retrospective comparative study.