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Table 2 Summary of studies evaluating cost-effectiveness of patella resurfacing

From: Patella resurfacing during total knee arthroplasty is cost-effective and has lower re-operation rates compared to non-resurfacing

Study

Design and methodology

Results

Conclusion

Weeks et al. [23]

Cost-effectiveness analysis using data from the 2014 Australian joint registry and applied to the Canadian market. Quality adjusted life years (QALY) were the utility scores used.

Study duration: projected over 14 years.

443,948 patients extracted from the Australian NJR 225,915 patients were not resurfaced and 218,033 were resurfaced.

9240 revisions in the un-resurfaced group vs 5992 revisions in resurfaced group.

Mean total treatment cost per patient for un-resurfaced vs resurfaced patellae at 14 years: $13,296.63 vs $12,917.01 and lower QALY (5.37 vs 6.01) at 14 years in un-resurfaced group.

NICE’s translation and interpretation to the UK healthcare system:

Patella resurfacing results in £263 saving per patient (2015 US dollar to Pound Stirling currency exchange rates used) un-resurfaced total cost and 0.64 extra QALYs [12].

Patella resurfacing was cost-effective according to the data included in the model.

Murray et al. [22]

Cost utility analysis performed within the UK Knee Arthroplasty Trial (KAT) randomised controlled trial (RCT)

Follow-up duration: 10 years

Un-resurfaced patella (n = 854)

Patella resurfacing (n = 861)

Un-resurfaced group: 2.8% had late resurfacing in the first 5 years postoperatively.

Resurfaced group: 1% had re-operations for complications of the resurfacing during the second 5 years. Findings were independent of trochlear design.

Un-resurfaced total costs at 10 years: £8889

Patella resurfacing total costs at 10 years £8,785

Patella resurfacing saves £104 per person.

Un-resurfaced vs resurfaced patellae QALY: 5.110 vs 5.297

Patella resurfacing results in trend towards 0.187 increase in QALYs.

Patella resurfacing may be more cost-effective.