Justin Ly Ba - Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
William Wang - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Frederic E. Liss - Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University,Philadelphia, PA, USA
Asif M. Ilyas - Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University,Philadelphia, PA, USA
Christopher M. Jones - Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University,Philadelphia, PA, USA

Background: With the rise in distal radius fracture (DRF) incidence and treatment through open reduction internal fixation, there are increasing concerns in the current medical cost containment climate. To help reduce costs, manufacturers are introducing sterile packed kits. The purpose of this study is to compare the costs of the single use kit (SK) against conventional reprocessed DRF surgical sets (RS).Methods: A four-year retrospective review at three surgical centers was performed to determine a company’s RS average sterilization and processing costs. RS instrumentation cost was estimated by straight-line depreciation from the original purchase price. RS implant costs were calculated from the list price. SK list cost was obtained from the same company. Incidence of surgical delays was estimated by a survey of ۲۳ hand surgeons and cost of delays was obtained from surgical center reports. Sensitivity analysis on delay frequency was performed to assess a range of overall costs. Results: OR delays were estimated at one out of ۱۰۰ cases, with an average cost of ۱۱ per case. For RS, average instruments, implants, and sterilization costs per case was ۴۷, ۲۸۸۲, and ۳۹. The total RS cost of ۲,۹۷۸ and the SK was ۱,۶۶۷ with a difference of ۱,۳۱۳ per case.Conclusion: RS was found to cost ۱,۳۱۳ more per case than the SK in an ambulatory surgical setting and potentially more cost effective. Ultimately, pricing is highly variable at each center based on negotiated and contractual pricing.Level of evidence: IV

: Distal radius fractures, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), operating room costs, single use sterile sets, sterilization costs