High Case Volume Predicts Greater Odds of Autograft Use and Meniscal Repair for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Purpose

To evaluate how both annual surgeon and facility volume affect the cost and outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. We also aimed to identify trends in how surgeon caseload predicts graft selection.

Methods

The 2014 State Ambulatory and Surgical Database from Florida was used. Every case with Current Procedural Terminology code 29888 (“Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction”) was selected. Surgeon and facility identifiers were used to separate high- and low-volume groups, defined as >25 cases for surgeons and >125 cases for facilities. Univariate analysis was performed for patient demographics and surgical characteristics. Multivariate analysis was performed on significant factors to determine how these variables impact cost and odds of allograft usage, postoperative admission, and meniscal repair.

Results

There were 7905 cases performed between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014 after excluding same-year revisions. High-volume surgeons had $6155 lower total charges, were 1.949 times more likely to use an autograft, and had 54.5% lower odds of postoperative admission (all P < .001). They were also 1.196 times more likely to perform a meniscal repair (P = .017). In patients younger than 18, low-volume surgeons were 3.7 times more likely to use an allograft (P < .001). Concomitant multiligamentous procedures were also performed at greater rates in the high-volume group. Postoperative admission added $18,698, and allografts added $9174 (both P < .001).

Conclusions

We found that high-volume surgeons were more likely to perform a meniscal repair and less likely to have their patients admitted postoperatively, which was the second largest cost driver of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. They were also significantly less likely to use an allograft, especially in patients younger than the age of 18 years. High-volume surgeons had lower costs despite greater rates of concomitant procedures.

Level of Evidence

III, retrospective cohort study.