Cost-effectiveness was reached in adult spinal deformity patients in most patients by five years after surgery, according to a study in the Oct. 15 issue of Spine.
Five things to know:
1. Researches included 327 patients who had spinal deformity surgery and five-year follow-up, and published methods helped determine costs based on CMS's definitions. Cost utility was calculated with quality-adjusted life-years utilizing the Oswestry Disability Index. The cost-effectiveness threshold of $150,000 was used for primary analysis.
2. Major complication rates were 11%, and minor complication rates were 47%, and 26% of the patients had reoperation by five years.
3. Costs associated with one surgery was about $91,000.
4. Nineteen percent of patients met cost-effectiveness at two years after surgery. In cases where revision was avoided, 87% of the patients met cumulative cost-effectiveness until life expectancy.
5. The study concluded that "Most patients achieved cost-effectiveness after four years postoperatively, with 56% meeting at five years postoperatively. When revision was avoided, 87% of patients met cumulative cost-effectiveness till life expectancy. Mechanical complications were predictive of failure to achieve cost-effectiveness at two years, while comorbidity burden and medical complications were at five years."