Comparison of physician compensation using work relative value units in septic revision total shoulder arthroplasty

Revision total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) for prosthetic joint infection (herein, “septic revision TSA”) requires more time and resources compared with revision in the absence of infection (“aseptic revision TSA”). Physician compensation should accurately reflect this greater burden. In this study, we assessed whether physician compensation for septic revision TSA is proportionate to that for aseptic revision TSA. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried from 2006 to 2021 to identify cases of aseptic and septic revision TSA. Work relative value units (wRVUs), operative time, wRVUs per minute, and compensation per hour were compared between aseptic and septic cases. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess wRVU adequacy for septic revision TSA. The wRVU-to-dollar conversion factor was obtained from the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and wRVU dollar valuations were calculated. P values