Purpose: Although the comparative efficacy of open and arthroscopic Bankart repair remains a matter of debate, little data exist on relative costs. We analyzed the patient outcomes, cost, and resource utilization of both procedures to determine if differences exist between open versus arthroscopic Bankart repair.
Type of study: Retrospective case-control study.
Methods: We compared 22 patients who had open Bankart repair with 20 patients who had arthroscopic Bankart repair. Total operating times and all charges were obtained from records. Patients were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, and any recurrence of dislocation was noted at minimum 24-month follow-up.
Results: For arthroscopic Bankart repairs, operating times were shorter, but operating room equipment charges were greater. Overall charges were greater for open repairs as all open repair patients were admitted postoperatively. ASES shoulder scores were not significantly different between treatment groups. Four of 17 evaluable patients with open Bankart repair (including 1 shoulder in a patient who underwent bilateral repairs) had recurrent dislocation. One of the 18 evaluable patients with arthroscopic Bankart repair had recurrent dislocation.
Conclusions: Arthroscopic Bankart repair as same-day surgery has lower overall charges than open repair, although this difference would be negligible if all patients went home immediately after surgery.
Level of evidence: Level III, therapeutic, retrospective cohort study.