OBJECTIVES:   Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques could provide an earlier diagnosis than traditional techniques (TT) to identify chronic infections in patients with musculoskeletal implants. The aim was to determine costs associated to microorganism’s diagnosis in sonicate samples of musculoskeletal implants, comparing the addition of a PCR technique (Unyvero^TM i60-ITI) to TT versus TT only. METHODS: A preliminary cost analysis was developed to estimate the hospital costs in patients admitted at Fundación Jimenez Diaz Hospital (May-2014 to April-2015) for musculoskeletal implant removal due to chronic infection suspect. Sonicated samples were tested for microbiological diagnosis using TT. Additionally, samples were tested using Unyvero^TM i60-ITI. Medical hospitals records were reviewed for data collection: sociodemographic data; type, dosing and antibiotic treatments; and hospital length of stay (LOS). Intravenous vancomycin and ceftazidime were selected as the initial empiric treatment. Replacement to a specific antibiotic was performed after microbiological diagnosis. Total estimated costs (€, 2015) included antibiotic treatment, hospital stay (€1,006 per day) and Unyvero^TM i60-ITI kits (€350 per kit) costs. RESULTS: Ten patients were retrieved for preliminary analysis (average age: 75.39±6.31 years; 20% men). Hip (40%) and knee (40%) were the most frequent implant sites. Average period from implant removal to final diagnosis lasted 4.60±1.35 days with TT. Unyvero^TM i60-ITI diagnosis was available 24h after removal. LOS was 24.4 days for TT and 23.3 days for Unyvero^TM i60-ITI added to TT. The average antibiotic treatment cost was €1,016.01 for TT and €976.84 for Unyvero^TM i60-ITI added to TT. Hospital stay cost was €25,591.26 for TT and €24,361.98 for Unyvero^TM i60-ITI added to TT. The use of Unyvero^TM i60-ITI reduced average total costs in €840.67. CONCLUSIONS: Unyvero^TM i60-ITI PCR for microbiological identification in musculoskeletal implants sonicated is associated to faster diagnosis and shorter hospital stays than traditional techniques only, allowing cost savings at hospital level.