Cost Drivers in Operative Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures

Purpose To estimate the rate of surgical treatment of paediatric proximal humerus fractures over time utilizing a large, publicly available national database. Methods The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database was evaluated between the years 2000 and 2012. Proximal humerus fractures were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 CM) diagnosis codes. ICD-9 CM procedure codes were used to identify patients who received surgical treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine variables associated with greater proportions of surgical treatment. All statistical analyses were performed utilizing SAS statistical software v.9.4. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 7520 proximal humerus fracture admissions were identified; 3247 (43.2%) were treated surgically. The percentage of patients receiving surgery increased from 39.3% in 2000 to 46.4% in 2012 (p < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, increased age, increased ICD-9 derived injury severity scores (ICISS) and more recent year were associated with an increased proportion of patients receiving surgical treatment (p < 0.001). Medicaid payer status (p < 0.001) and admission to a children’s hospital (p = 0.045) were associated with a lower proportion of surgical treatment. Conclusion The rate of operative treatment of paediatric proximal humerus fractures increased over time between 2000 and 2012. Increased surgical rates were independently associated with older age, increased ICISS, treatment at a non-children’s hospital and non-Medicaid insurance status. Further study is needed to provide evidence to support improved outcomes after operative treatment of paediatric proximal humerus fractures. Level of Evidence IV

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The incidence and treatment trends of pediatric proximal humerus fractures

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-019-2948-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Juuli Hannonen ◽

Hanna Hyvönen ◽

Linda Korhonen ◽

Willy Serlo ◽

Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu

Keyword(s):

Upper Extremity ◽

Operative Treatment ◽

Proximal Humerus ◽

Study Time ◽

Annual Incidence ◽

Proximal Humerus Fractures ◽

Horse Riding ◽

Fractures In Children ◽

Humerus Fractures ◽

Treatment Trends

Abstract Background Proximal humerus fractures comprise approximately 2% of all pediatric fractures. In general, upper extremity fractures have increased in children. However, recent trends of proximal humerus fractures are not analyzed yet. The aim was to study the incidence and treatment trends of proximal humerus fractures in children. Methods All 300 children, aged < 16 years, who suffered from a proximal humerus fracture in the catchment area of Oulu University Hospital, Finland, between 2005 and 2015, were included. Radiographs were reviewed, and patients, injuries, treatments, and outcomes were comprehensively studied. Annual incidence was based on the child population at risk, which changed between 84.500 and 88.100 in the study time. Results The annual incidence of childhood proximal humerus fractures was mean 31.4/100,000 and no variation trend was found. The majority (92%) was treated nonoperatively, however, there was an increase of operative fixation from 0 to 16% during the study time (Difference 16, 95% CI 0.3 to 34.9%, P = 0.045). Bayonet displacement increased the risk of surgical fixation up to 16-fold (95% CI 4.8–51.4, P < 0.001) in a multivariate analysis when adjusted with other potential risk factors. Higher age was also associated with operative treatment (P = 0.002). The most usual recreational activities were horse riding, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and trampolining. Conclusion Contrary to most upper extremity fractures in children, proximal humerus fractures did not increase during the long study period. However, their operative treatment increased compared to nonoperative treatment, but the evidence supporting that trend remains unclear.

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