title: The increased total cost associated with post-operative drains in total hip and knee arthroplasty.
abstract: In a consecutive series of 536 unilateral primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and 598 unilateral primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs), the use of a post-operative drain was associated with $538 additional cost per THA, and $455 for TKA. The use of a drain increased hospital length of stay (LOS) for THA, but not for TKA. In both groups, the use of a drain increased estimated blood loss (EBL) and increased the amount of allogeneic blood transfused. Over the 10-week period, drain use was associated with a total cost of $432,972 for our institution. Data from this study would favor a selective approach to the use of drains in primary joint arthroplasties.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Bjerke-Kroll
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sculco
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: McLawhorn
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Alexander B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Christ
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Gladnick
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mayman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000191:economics; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: arthroplasty; blood loss; cost-effectiveness; length of stay; post-operative suction device; transfusion