Improvements in Outcomes and Cost After Adult Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery Between 2008 and 2019.

Abstract

Study design

A retrospective cohort study.

Objective

To assess whether patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness of adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery have improved over the past decade.

Background

Surgery for ASD is an effective intervention, but one that is also associated with large initial healthcare expenditures. Changes in the cost profile for ASD surgery over the last decade has not been evaluated previously.

Materials and methods

ASD patients who received surgery between 2008 and 2019 were included. Analysis of covariance was used to establish estimated marginal means for outcome measures [complication rates, reoperations, health-related quality of life, total cost, utility gained, quality adjusted life years (QALYs), cost-efficiency (cost per QALY)] by year of initial surgery. Cost was calculated using the PearlDiver database and represented national averages of Medicare reimbursement for services within a 30-day window including length of stay and death differentiated by complication/comorbidity, revision, and surgical approach. Internal cost data was based on individual patient diagnosis-related group codes, limiting revisions to those within two years (2Y) of the initial surgery. Cost per QALY over the course of 2008-2019 were then calculated.

Results

There were 1236 patients included. There was an overall decrease in rates of any complication (0.78 vs . 0.61), any reoperation (0.25 vs . 0.10), and minor complication (0.54 vs . 0.37) between 2009 and 2018 (all P <0.05). National average 2Y cost decreased at an annual rate of $3194 ( R2 =0.6602), 2Y utility gained increased at an annual rate of 0.0041 ( R2 =0.57), 2Y QALYs gained increased annually by 0.008 ( R2 =0.57), and 2Y cost per QALY decreased per year by $39,953 ( R2 =0.6778).

Conclusion

Between 2008 and 2019, rates of complications have decreased concurrently with improvements in patient reported outcomes, resulting in improved cost effectiveness according to national Medicare average and individual patient cost data. The value of ASD surgery has improved substantially over the course of the last decade.

Department

Description

Provenance

Citation

Published Version (Please cite this version)

10.1097/brs.0000000000004474

Publication Info

Passias, Peter G, Nicholas Kummer, Bailey Imbo, Virginie Lafage, Renaud Lafage, Justin S Smith, Breton Line, Shaleen Vira, et al. (2023). Improvements in Outcomes and Cost After Adult Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery Between 2008 and 2019. Spine, 48(3). pp. 189–195. 10.1097/brs.0000000000004474 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/27976.

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Scholars@Duke

Passias

Peter Passias

Instructor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Shaffrey

Christopher Ignatius Shaffrey

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

I have more than 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages with spinal disorders. I have had an interest in the management of spinal disorders since starting my medical education. I performed residencies in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire range of spinal disorders. My goal has been to find innovative ways to manage the range of spinal conditions, straightforward to complex. I have a focus on managing patients with complex spinal disorders. My patient evaluation and management philosophy is to provide engaged, compassionate care that focuses on providing the simplest and least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition. In many cases, non-operative treatment options exist to improve a patient’s symptoms. I have been actively engaged in clinical research to find the best ways to manage spinal disorders in order to achieve better results with fewer complications.


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