Utilization of ultrasonography to detect developmental dysplasia of the hip: when reality turns selective screening into universal use.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) occurs in 3-5 of 1000 live births and is associated with known risk factors. In most countries, formal practice for early detection of DDH entails the combination of risk factor identification and physical examination of the hip, while the golden standard diagnostic instrument is hip ultrasonography (US). This practice is commonly referred to as selective screening. Infants with positive US findings are treated with a Pavlik harness, a dynamic abduction splint. The objective of our study was to evaluate hip US utilization patterns in Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS), a large health plan. METHODS: Study population: All MHS members, born between June 2011 and October 2014, who underwent at least one US before the age of 15 months. STUDY VARIABLES: Practice specialty and number of enrolled infants. Positive US result was defined as referral to an abduction splint. Cost was based on Ministry of Health price list. Chi square and correlation coefficients were employed in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 115,918 infants born during the study period, 67,491 underwent at least one hip US. Of these, 60.6% were female, mean age at performance: 2.2 months. Of those who underwent US, 625 (0.93%) were treated with a Pavlik harness: 0.24% of the male infants and 1.60% of the female infants (p < 0.001). Analysis of physician practice characteristics revealed that referral to US was significantly higher among pediatricians as compared with general practitioners (60% and 35%, respectively). Practice volume had no influence on referral rate. Direct medical costs of the 107 hip US examinations performed that led to detection of one positive case (treated by Pavlik): US$10,000. CONCLUSIONS: Current pattern of hip US utilization for early detection of DDH resembles universal screening more closely than selective screening. This can inform policy decisions as to whether a stricter selective screening or a formal move to universal screening is appropriate in Israel.

Hospital costs of total hip arthroplasty for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a leading cause of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in younger patients. It is unknown how the hospital costs of THA in patients with DDH compare with patients with degenerative arthritis. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We undertook this study to determine (1) the hospital cost and length of stay associated with primary THA in patients with dysplasia compared with nondysplastic control subjects; (2) the hospital cost and length of stay of THA in severely dysplastic hips compared with mildly dysplastic hips; and (3) perioperative complications in patients with DDH compared with patients without dysplasia. METHODS: This matched-cohort study included 354 patients undergoing primary THA for DDH and 1029 age-, sex-, and calendar year-matched patients undergoing THA for primary osteoarthritis between 2000 and 2008. DDH severity was measured by the Crowe classification. An institutional database was used to calculate the cost of care. Using line item details (date, type, frequency, and billed charge) for every procedure or service billed at our institution for each patient, bottom-up microcosting valuation techniques were used to generate standardized inflation-adjusted estimates of the cost of each service or procedure in constant dollars. Generalized linear random effects models were used to compare length of stay and costs during hospitalization and the 90-day period after surgery. Query of a longitudinal institutional database was used to identify documented complications. RESULTS: Patients with DDH undergoing primary THA incurred higher hospital costs than patients with primary osteoarthritis (USD 16,949 versus USD 16,485, p = 0.012). Operating room costs (USD 3471 versus USD 3417, p = 0.0085) and implant costs (USD 3896 versus USD 3493, p < 0.001) were higher in the DDH group compared with the osteoarthritis group. Length of stay was not different between the two groups (4 versus 4 days, p = 0.46). Crowe 4 hips had higher hospital costs than Crowe 1 hips (USD 21,246 versus USD 16,345, p < 0.001) with an associated longer length of stay (5 days versus 4 days, p = 0.0011) and higher implant costs (USD 4380 versus USD 3788, p = 0.0012). There was no detectible difference in 90-day complications in the case group compared with patients undergoing THA for osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital cost of primary THA is approximately USD 450 higher in patients with DDH compared with osteoarthritis. Increased severity of dysplasia (Crowe classification) was associated with higher costs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, economic and decision analyses. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Twenty years experience of selective secondary ultrasound screening for congenital dislocation of the hip.

OBJECTIVES: The authors report the results of a selective ultrasound screening programme for congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) over a period of 20 years, with the aim of defining the rate of screening, conservative treatment and late presentation requiring surgery. METHODS: All neonates born from June 1988 to December 2008 (inclusive) were included in the prospective cohort, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. All underwent an early clinical examination of the hips and those with clinical instability were referred for ultrasound at 2 weeks; those with risk factors were sonographically examined at 6 weeks. Risk factors were defined as breech presentation, family history or foot deformity. RESULTS: 107 440 live births were clinically examined, 20 344 (18.9%) were referred for ultrasound assessment at either 2 weeks (due to clinical signs) or 6 weeks (due to risk factors). 774 (3.8%) were diagnosed with dysplasia with a crude overall treatment rate of 7.2 per 1000 live births. 37 (0.34 per 1000) presented late, that is, after 12 weeks of age; none had detectable clinical signs or risk factors. There were no false negatives. CONCLUSION: Elective screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in association with one stop treatment and monitoring is an effective programme. The number of infants referred increased statistically significantly year on year over the study period and generated more activity. Pavlik harness treatment rates remained acceptable and steady over the period, despite the increase in referrals. The incidence of late presenting cases ranged from 0 to 4 per year, with no secular trend and there were no ultrasound false negatives.

Hospital cost of treating early dislocation following hip arthroplasty.

Dislocation is a frequent and costly complication of hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess the financial impact on the treating institution of this complication in patients with primary hemiarthroplasty (HA), total hip arthroplasty (THA) and revision surgery (RTHA). Between October 2001 and August 2009, 2014 consecutive hip arthroplasties were performed at our institution, of which 87 (18 HA, 44 THA and 25 RTHA) dislocated within 6 weeks of the primary operation. The average cost of treating implant dislocation by closed reduction, open reduction or revision was assessed and expressed as a percentage cost increase compared to an uncomplicated procedure. Of the 87 dislocated implants all needed one or more closed reductions and 52 eventually required revision surgery. An early dislocation increased the cost of HA, THA and RTHA by 472%, 342% and 352%, respectively.

Cost-effectiveness of universal ultrasound screening compared with clinical examination alone in the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal hip dysplasia in Austria.

Between 1978 and 1997 all newborns in the Austrian province of Tyrol were reviewed regarding hip dysplasia and related surgery. This involved a mean of 8257 births per year (7766 to 8858). Two observation periods were determined: 1978 to 1982 (clinical examination alone) and 1993 to 1997 (clinical examination and universal ultrasound screening). A retrospective analysis compared the number and cost of interventions due to hip dysplasia in three patient age groups: A, 0 to < 1.5 years; B, ≥ 1.5 to < 15 years; and C, ≥ 15 to < 35 years. In group A, there was a decrease in hip reductions from a mean of 25.2 (SD 2.8) to 7.0 (SD 1.4) cases per year. In group B, operative procedures decreased from a mean of 17.8 (SD 3.5) to 2.6 (SD 1.3) per year. There was a 75.9% decrease in the total number of interventions for groups A and B. An increase of €57,000 in the overall cost per year for the second period (1993 to 1997) was seen, mainly due to the screening programme. However, there was a marked reduction in costs of all surgical and non-surgical treatments for dysplastic hips from €410,000 (1978 to 1982) to €117,000 (1993 to 1997). We believe the small proportional increase in costs of the universal ultrasound screening programme is justifiable as it was associated with a reduction in the number of non-surgical and surgical interventions. We therefore recommend universal hip ultrasound screening for neonates.

[When is the optimal time for hip ultrasound screening?]. / Wann ist der optimale Zeitpunkt für ein sonographisches Hüftscreening?

The perfect time for hip screening is when every pathologically deformed hip can be diagnosed by sonography and after spontaneous resolution of immature, dysplastic hips. In addition, the beginning of therapy should be early enough to provide the best possible outcome concerning the anatomically correct healing of the patient's hip. Even though every child should be screened by sonography in the first few days of life, a reasonable way could be ultrasound screening in the first week for clinically unstable hips or newborns with risk factors such as breech position combined with ultrasound screening of every newborn between the fourth and sixth week.

[Nonsurgical treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip]. / Konservative Behandlung der Hüftreifungsstörung.

The introduction of hip ultrasound for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has led to earlier diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The younger the child, the greater the potential of acetabular remodelling. An early-initiated, differentiated therapy according to the Graf classification has led to good treatment results. Nevertheless, there is still a number of residual dysplasia and a risk for late sequelae even after successful ultrasound-guided therapy. Therefore, long-term follow-up of treated hips until skeletal maturity is necessary. Whereas there is no doubt about the good results of the treatment we apply, its economic effectiveness still has to be proven.

Economic evaluation of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of developmental hip dysplasia in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Clinical neonatal hip screening is performed to identify hip instability and the increased risk of later hip subluxation and dislocation. However, there is minimal information regarding the costs of such screening to parents and health services. The aim of this study was to assess these costs in association with the use of ultrasonography for the diagnosis and management of neonatal hip instability. METHODS: We conducted a prospective economic analysis in conjunction with a randomized clinical trial (the Hip Trial), for which 629 patients were recruited from thirty-three centers in the United Kingdom and Ireland to be randomized to undergo either ultrasonographic hip examination (314 patients) or clinical assessment alone (315 patients). Information on clinical outcomes was obtained from hospital records and records from the Hip Trial. Resource information was obtained from hospital records and from repeated periodic cross-sectional surveys of the families. Typical unit costs were applied to resource information to obtain a cost per patient, and the mean costs in the two study groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The average overall health-service cost per patient (and standard deviation) was $1298 +/- $2168 in the ultrasonography group and $1488 +/- $2912 in the group that underwent clinical assessment alone, a net difference of -$190 (95% confidence interval, -$630 to $250). Families in which the infant was examined with ultrasonography had significantly lower costs associated with splinting: $92 compared with $118 in the group that underwent clinical assessment alone, a mean difference of -$26 (95% confidence interval, -$46 to -$6). Costs associated with surgery and total costs to the family were also slightly, but not significantly, lower in the ultrasonography group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that use of ultrasonography in the management of neonates with clinical hip instability is unlikely to impose an increased cost burden and may reduce costs to health services and families.

Ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of developmental hip dysplasia (UK Hip Trial): clinical and economic results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical screening aims to identify and treat neonatal hip instability associated with increased risk of hip displacement, but risks failures of diagnosis and treatment (abduction splinting), iatrogenic effects, and costs to parents and health services. Our objectives were to assess clinical effectiveness and net cost of ultrasonography compared with clinical assessment alone, to provide guidance for management of infants with clinical hip instability. METHODS: Infants with clinical hip instability were recruited from 33 centres in UK and Ireland and randomised to either ultrasonographic hip examination (n=314) or clinical assessment alone (n=315). The primary outcome was appearance on hip radiographs by 2 years. Secondary outcomes included surgical treatment, abduction splinting, level of mobility, resource use, and costs. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Protocol compliance was high, and radiographic information was available for 91% of children by 12-14 months and 85% by 2 years. By age 2 years, subluxation, dislocation, or acetabular dysplasia were identified by radiography on one or both hips of 21 children in each of the groups (relative risk 1.00; 95% CI 0.56-1.80). Fewer children in the ultrasonography group had abduction splinting in the first 2 years than did those in the no-ultrasonography group (0.78; 0.65-0.94; p=0.01). Surgical treatment was required by 21 infants in the ultrasonography group (6.7%) and 25 (7.9%) in the no-ultrasonography group (0.84; 0.48-1.47). One child from the ultrasonography group and four from the no-ultrasonography group were not walking by 2 years (0.25; 0.03-2.53; p=0.37). Infants in the ultrasonography group incurred significantly higher ultrasound costs over the first 2 years (pound 42 vs pound 23, mean difference pound 19, 95% CI 11-27); total hospital costs were lower for those infants, but the difference was not significant. INTERPRETATION: The use of ultrasonography in infants with screen-detected clinical hip instability allows abduction splinting rates to be reduced, and is not associated with an increase in abnormal hip development, higher rates of surgical treatment by 2 years of age, or significantly higher health-service costs.

[Ultrasound screening of the infant hip]. / Sonographisches Screening der Säuglingshüfte.

The sonographic screening of the hip has led to a marked decrease in treatment of children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (ddh) as inpatients. The prognosis for this disorder has greatly improved in the past few years due to early diagnosis and correspondingly early beginning of therapy, in many cases by using simple therapeutic methods. This undisputed success has been achieved with a high treatment rate in comparison with international practice (6.4%). The expectancy of reducing the number of checks, and thus costs, by deciding on the 4th to 6th week of life as the time for screening has not been met.

Financial justification for routine ultrasound screening of the neonatal hip.

We have analysed the patterns of management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Coventry over a period of 20 years during which three different screening policies were used. From 1976 to the end of 1985 we relied on clinical examination alone. The mean surgical cost for the treatment of DDH during this period was Pound Sterling 5110 per 1000 live births. This was reduced to Pound Sterling 3811 after the introduction of ultrasound for infants with known risk factors. Since June 1989 we have routinely scanned all infants at birth with a mean surgical cost of Pound Sterling 468 per 1000 live births. This reduction in cost is a result of the earlier detection of DDH with fewer children requiring surgery. In those who do, fewer and less invasive procedures are needed. The overall rate of treatment has not increased and regular review of patients managed in a Pavlik harness has allowed us to avoid the complication of avascular necrosis. When we add the cost of running the screening programme to the expense of treating the condition, the overall cost for the management of DDH is comparable for the different screening policies.

Ultrasonography screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip joint.

The use of ultrasonography as a complement to clinical examination will increase the reliability of the evaluation of unstable hips in newborn infants. In particular, the number of false-positive Ortolani and Barlow tests will decrease. However, the interpretation of the ultrasonogram in newborn infants has a steep learning curve with considerable risk of a high number of false-positive hips being diagnosed. Therefore, universal screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip by ultrasonography cannot yet be recommended from a cost-benefit point of view.

[Results of hip ultrasonographic screening in Austria]. / Ergebnisse des Hüftultraschallscreenings in Osterreich.

The role of hip sonography in neonatal hip screening is still a controversial matter. This paper reports the results of the Austrian ultrasound hip screening program, in which all Austrian babies undergo hip sonography twice: at the birth clinic during the 1st week of life and at an age of 12-16 weeks. Data from all public health insurance companies since 1985 and all ICD data about children hospitalized because of CDH in Austria were collected and analyzed. The rate of sonographically pathological hips was 6.57% (1994). The treatment rate before introduction of hip sonography was 13.16% (1985). The rate of open reduction went down to 0.24 per 1000 newborns, including a high number of unscreened children born abroad and also children with teratological dislocation of the hip. Hip sonography screening proved to be effective in detecting true instability of the hip joint as well as dysplasia. The optimal time for sonographic screening does not seem to be immediately after birth when only "high risk" hips (clinical instability, positive family history, breech delivery) should undergo hip sonography, but at an age between 4 and 6 weeks when the hip has already shown its true nature. Since one sonographic scan appears to be sufficient for screening, a further reduction of costs could be accomplished. Disability owing to DDH can be avoided in a number of cases, and costs for conservative and surgical treatment as well as for later endoprostheses and early retirement can be economized.

Cost-effectiveness of ultrasonographic screening for congenital hip dysplasia in new-borns.

OBJECTIVE: Screening for congenital dysplasia of the hips (CDH) of new-borns, mostly by Ortolani's of Barlow's tests, is widely performed, but nevertheless dysplasias are still discovered late. Ultrasonographic screening has been reported to reduce the number of these cases. The present investigation is intended to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of such as screening programme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cost of performing ultrasound investigations at Haukeland Hospital and the treatment costs of late-discovered CDH were calculated on the basis of 26 cases of late-discovered CDH at Hagavik Orthopaedic Hospital. Figures for sensitivity and specificity were taken from the literature. RESULTS: General ultrasonographic screening programmes for CDH will not be cost-effective because the population screened will be too large and the demands upon sensitivity too high. However, investigating babies at risk is probably cost-effective. CONCLUSION: A CDH screening programme requires high sensitivity and one should preferably aim at screening babies at risk. In Norway a centralisation to larger hospitals may therefore be necessary.