Cost of Superior Capsular Reconstruction is Understudied: A Scoping Review

Background. Irreparable rotator cuff tears are challenging to treat; however, there are multiple options available for surgical management. In recent years, superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) has emerged as a promising option. Materials/Methods. A scoping review of studies reporting costs associated with SCR was performed. An initial search yielded 94 studies for screening, of which two studies were eligible for inclusion.   Results. Estimated costs ranged from $5,642 to $20,837 US dollars (USD). The average cost estimate for SCR was ultimately determined to be $16,330.56 with adjustments for inflation. Conclusions. There is extremely limited data regarding the current cost of SCR. Regardless, much of the cost associated with the procedure appears to be driven by the costs of intraoperative factors including implants, specifically human dermal allograft and anchors, as well as operative time. Future research identifying specific costs pertinent to SCR will be invaluable in determining the role of this procedure in treating IRCTs as well as how to maximize cost-effectiveness in general.