A study was recently published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques examines the value of surgery for revision fusion for lumbar pseudoarthrosis.
The study included 47 patients who underwent revision instrumented arthrodesis for pseudarthrosis-associated back pain. Here are five things to know from the study:
1. The average time between prior fusion and symptomatic pseudarthrosis development was 2.69±3.09 years. There weren't any patients who developed symptomatic pseudoarthrosis after two years of revision surgery.
2. The average cumulative two-year QALY gain was 0.35.
3. The average total two-year cost for revision fusion was $41,631±$9,691.
4. The breakdown of average cost for the revision procedures is:
• Surgery: $23,865±$270
• Outpatient resource utilization: $4,885±$2,301
• Indirect cost: $12,879±$8,171
5. The average revision instrumented arthrodesis was associated with two-year cost per QALY gained of $118,945.
The study authors noted there was an improved two-year quality of life in patients who underwent surgery for pseudoarthrosis-related back pain, but "in our experience revision surgery was shown to be marginally cost-effective at $118,945 per QALY gained."