Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures using Carevature Medical's Dreal technology to prepare intervertebral endplates have led to shorter surgery times and cost savings of $2,000 per procedure, according to an article published in PharmacoEconomics.
Six things to know:
1. The study focused on intraoperative and postoperative cost drivers for TLIF, including operating room time, blood loss, length of stay, complications and revisions.
2. Researchers compared two cohorts groups — patients where the Dreal device was used to prepare intervertebral endplates and patients where conventional tools were used, such as rotating shavers, curettes and rasps.
3. The Dreal curved tool allows surgeons to reach all four endplate quadrants while the shield protects the dura and the powered cutter removes cartilaginous endplates. Conventional tools can require multiple passes and maneuvers to remove disc fragments attached to endplates.
4. Researchers found that the Dreal device led to a 23-minute reduction in surgical time, compared to traditional instrumentation.
5. Study results demonstrated that use of the Dreal technology may lead to a cost reduction and shorter procedure without deteriorating the clinical outcome.
6. Carevature's Dreal technology has been used in more than 1,700 spine procedures.
Click here for more details on the study.