Minimally invasive fixation versus conservative treatment of undisplaced scaphoid fractures: a cost-effectiveness study.
This study compares the direct and indirect costs of conservative and minimally invasive treatment for undisplaced scaphoid fractures. Costs data concerning groups of non-operated and operated patients were analysed. Direct costs were higher in operated patients. Although highly variable, indirect costs were significantly smaller in operated patients and the total costs were higher in non-operated patients. In conclusion, operative treatment of scaphoid fractures is initially more expensive than conservative treatment but markedly decreases the work compensation costs.
Hand Surgery Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland and the Health Technology Assessment Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland. mpapaloizos@ch8.ch
M Y
MY
Papaloizos
C
C
Fusetti
T
T
Christen
L
L
Nagy
J B
JB
Wasserfallen
D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000191:economics; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D013557:Switzerland; D014942:Workers' Compensation