Day-case pelvic osteotomy for developmental dysplasia of the hip

Purpose In this article we report the results of a pilot study analysing the implications of performing pelvic osteotomies for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) as a day case. We assess the advantages of performing paediatric pelvic osteotomies as day-case procedures from a financial perspective and from an in-patient bed resource point of view.Methods This was a prospective cohort study analysing Salter and Pemberton pelvic osteotomies performed for DDH over a three-year period from 1st January 2017 to 30th September 2019. All patients residing within 50 km of the hospital were eligible for day-case procedures. All other cases were performed as in-patients. A detailed financial costing analysis was performed and the in-patient resources utilized were documented and compared between the two models of care.Results In total, 84 Salter and Pemberton osteotomies were performed between 1st January 2017 to 30th September 2019. Of these cases, 35 were performed as day-case procedures. A total reduction in 70 in-patient bed days was reported. Total costs for a single in-patient requiring two nights of admission amounted to €5,752, whereas the discharge cost of a day case was reported at €2,670. The savings made by our institution amounted to €3,082 per day case. A total saving of €102,696 was made over three years. In all, seven day-case patients re-attended due to inadequate pain control. They required overnight admission and were discharged uneventfully the following day.Conclusion Day-case pelvic osteotomies significantly reduce the number of in-patient bed days used in an elective paediatric orthopaedic setting. Significant financial savings in excess of €3,000 per case are possible. The introduction of day-case pelvic osteotomy procedures can significantly improve the cost-effectiveness of managing DDH provided there are clear protocols in place with close clinical follow-up.Level of evidence IV