Shore, BenjaminHedequist, DanielMiller, Patricia E.Waters, PeterBae, Donald2015-03-022015Shore, Benjamin J., Daniel J. Hedequist, Patricia E. Miller, Peter M. Waters, and Donald S. Bae. 2015. “Surgical management for displaced pediatric proximal humeral fractures: a cost analysis.” Journal of Children's Orthopaedics 9 (1): 55-64. doi:10.1007/s11832-015-0643-2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11832-015-0643-2.1863-2521http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:14065336Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to determine which of the following methods of fixation, percutaneous pinning (PP) or intramedullary nailing (IMN), was more cost-effective in the treatment of displaced pediatric proximal humeral fractures (PPHF). Methods: A retrospective cohort of surgically treated PPHF over a 12-year period at a single institution was performed. A decision analysis model was constructed to compare three surgical strategies: IMN versus percutaneous pinning leaving the pins exposed (PPE) versus leaving the pins buried (PPB). Finally, sensitivity analyses were performed, assessing the cost-effectiveness of each technique when infection rates and cost of deep infections were varied. Results: A total of 84 patients with displaced PPHF underwent surgical stabilization. A total of 35 cases were treated with IMN, 32 with PPE, and 17 with PPB. The age, sex, and preoperative fracture angulation were similar across all groups. A greater percentage of open reduction was seen in the IMN and PPB groups (p = 0.03), while a higher proportion of physeal injury was seen in the PPE group (p = 0.02). Surgical time and estimated blood loss was higher in the IMN group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). The decision analysis revealed that the PPE technique resulted in an average cost saving of $4,502 per patient compared to IMN and $2,066 compared to PPB. This strategy remained cost-effective even when the complication rates with exposed implants approached 55 %. Conclusions: Leaving pins exposed after surgical fixation of PPHF is more cost-effective than either burying pins or using intramedullary fixation.en-USPediatric proximal humerus fracturesDecision analysisCost analysisJournal Article2015-03-0210.1007/s11832-015-0643-2