Autograft versus allograft: an economic cost comparison of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the costs associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with either bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft or BPTB allograft.

Methods: Surgical costs are reported, including supply costs, based on invoice costs per item used per procedure, and personnel costs calculated as cost per minute. All operations were performed at an ambulatory surgery center between March 2005 and March 2006.

Proposed hub-network model for tissue procurement: the case of Arizona.

A single institution is not well positioned to manage the process of tissue donations to maximize utility and minimize the costs associated with such transactions. The proposed creation of a 'hub' organization to service the needs and demands associated with tissue procurement and utilization is outlined. The case of Arizona is used as a case study for the proposed model building on existing network in tissue donation and research.