The researchers examined seven-year data from more than 70 percent of the 209 patients included in the ProDisc-C total disc replacement investigational device exemption study. The researchers examined statistical distributions for unit costs from commercial claims database and applied the Monte Carlo simulation.
The researchers measured the monetary benefit with the nonparametric percentile method from 10,000 bootstrap simulations. Here are five key findings:
1. The cervical total disc replacement patients recorded on average $12,789 savings. The per-patient quality-adjusted life years were 0.16.
2. The spinal fusion patients reported higher cost — $20,856 — compared with the disc replacement patients — $5,362 on average. The average QALY for the fusion patients was 0.39.
3. The cervical disc replacement was more effective and less costly in 90.8 percent of the probabilistic simulations, according to the report.
4. In almost all — 99.8 percent — of the sensitivity analysis simulations the disc replacement was cost-effective and generated an average incremental net monetary benefit of $20,679 per patient. The willingness-to-pay threshold was $50,000 QALY.
5. The researchers concluded disc replacement was more effective and less costly for single-level symptomatic degenerative disc disease patients.
More articles on spine surgery:
How should spine surgeons approach a shifting landscape?
Where do spine surgeons fit in the changing market? Dr. Brian Gantwerker’s insight
New microscopes gain insight into spinal cord cell activity—5 notes
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.