Knee arthroscopy: a cost analysis of general and local anesthesia.

A cost analysis of outpatient knee arthroscopy was performed on 53 patients to determine if cost savings were associated with local versus general anesthesia. Local anesthesia was associated with an average reduction in overall charges of $600 compared with general anesthesia because of the reduction of charges related to the recovery room and anesthesia equipment. This study demonstrates a reduction in the hospital charges associated with outpatient knee arthroscopy when local rather than general anesthetic technique is used.