Periprosthetic infections following total knee arthroplasty increased readmission rates, mean hospitalization period and episode cost, representing a tremendous economic burden for tertiary-care centers and patients, according to study results.
Researchers reviewed a prospectively collected infection database between 2007 and 2011 to identify periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) that occurred following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that required a two-stage revision. Twenty-one patients with PJI were identified and matched to 21 patients who underwent primary TKA without infection.
Patients with PJI had significantly longer hospitalizations, more readmissions and more clinic visits vs. patients without infection. Surgical site infection resulted in a mean sum total episode costs, fixed- and variable-direct costs of $116,383, compared with $28,249 among patients in the matched group, according to study results. The researchers also found patients with PJI had significantly higher costs for factors such as hospital beds, operating room services, admission charges, and pharmacy services.
“We believe that further, prospective, randomized studies are necessary to accurately account for all costs associated with surgical site infections following total knee arthroplasty, specifically those due to office visits and admissions to other institutions,” the researchers wrote. “Furthermore, it is imperative that institutions also invest in evaluating additional infection prevention methodologies to help reduce the burdens associated with surgical site infections.”
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
