The Economic Impact of Periprosthetic Infections After Total Hip Arthroplasty at a Specialized Tertiary-Care Center.

Abstract

Periprosthetic infections after total hip arthroplasty represent an increased risk for patient morbidity and mortality, and an increased economic burden. The purpose of this study was to compare a group of patients who had periprosthetic infections after total hip arthroplasty to a matched group of patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty in terms of the associated costs, length of hospitalization, and number of readmissions (within 1 year). Between 2007 and 2011, 16 consecutive infected patients were matched to 32 noninfected patients (1:2 ratio). The mean episode cost, length of hospitalization, and median readmissions was significantly higher in the infected group when compared to the matched cohort: $88,623 vs $25,659, 7.6 vs 3.29 days, and 2 vs 0, respectively. Periprosthetic infections after THA resulted in an increased episode cost by approximately 3-fold, mean hospitalization period 2-fold, and led to a higher median number of readmissions.