BACKGROUND:Prior studies suggest the cost of allograft anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is less than that for autograft reconstruction. Charges in these studies were influenced by patients requiring inpatient hospitalization. QUESTION/PURPOSE: We therefore determined if allograft ACL reconstruction would still be less costly if all procedures were performed in a completely outpatient setting.METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed 155 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction in an ambulatory surgery center between 2001 and 2004; 105 had an autograft and 50 had an allograft. Charges were extracted from itemized billing records, standardized to eliminate cost increases, and categorized for comparison. Surgeon and anesthesiologist fees were not included in the analysis. Groups were compared for age, gender, mean total cost, mean cost of implants, and several other cost categories.RESULTS:The mean total cost was $5465 for allograft ACL reconstruction and $4872 for autograft ACL reconstruction. There were no differences in complications between the two groups.CONCLUSIONS:Allograft ACL reconstruction was more costly than autograft ACL reconstruction in the outpatient setting. The cost of the allograft outweighs the increased surgical time needed for harvesting an autograft.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Level II, economic and decision analyses. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Samenvatting  Sporters die werpbewegingen moeten uitvoeren, zoals werpers bij honkbal en speerwerpers, stellen hun elleboog vaak bloot aan herhaaldelijke valguskrachten. Deze beweging kan het blessurerisico voor het ulnaire collaterale ligament (ucl) verhogen. Als het ucl gescheurd is, kan reconstructieve chirurgie nodig zijn om de sporter terug te brengen tot een niveau dat vergelijkbaar is met dat van vóór de blessure.

Letters to the Editor-in-Chief of JOSPT as follows: Author's Response to October 1986 Letter to the Editor-in-Chief Letter regarding ‘The Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Quadriceps Strength and Thigh Circumference in Menisectomy Patients’ and Authors' Response J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;8(10):473–474. doi:10.2519/jospt.1987.8.10.473