Cost-effective studies in spine surgeries: a narrative review
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 5 E. 98 St, 9th Floor, Box 1188, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Summary
Spine surgery interventions are often cost-effective, especially common cervical and lumbar procedures. However, the cost-effectiveness of new spine technologies varies, emphasizing the need for careful economic evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Spine surgery
- Health economics
- Medical technology assessment
Background:
- Spine surgery techniques are evolving with new interventions.
- Assessing the economic impact of these therapies is crucial alongside patient quality of life improvements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review peer-reviewed literature on the cost-effectiveness of various spine surgery treatments and technologies.
Main Methods:
- A narrative literature review was conducted.
- Searches of Pubmed (2000-2012) used keywords 'cost-effectiveness AND spine' and 'cost analysis AND spine'.
- Relevant articles were selected and reviewed by the authors.
Main Results:
- Cervical and lumbar surgeries demonstrate reasonable cost-effectiveness (<$100,000 per QALY gained at 2 years), improving over time.
- Transfusion avoidance technology is not cost-effective due to low transfusion complication risks.
- Intraoperative neuromonitoring and imaging modalities are cost-saving/effective, dependent on complication rates.
Conclusions:
- New spine technologies should maximize health improvements at a socially acceptable cost.
- Cost-effectiveness depends on treatment durability and the severity of the addressed clinical problem.
