A new study published in Spinal Deformity compares the cost of traditional growing rods with magnetically-controlled growing rods for early onset scoliosis treatment.
The researchers modeled initial costs for implantation, lengthening, revisions due to device failure, surgical site infections, device exchanges and final fusion over a six-year episode of care. There were 1,000 simulated patients over six years.
The researchers found:
1. Magnetically-controlled growing rods were associated with an estimated 270 fewer deep SSIs and 197 fewer revisions due to device failure when compared with traditional growing rods.
2. The magnetically-controlled growing rods were projected to cost $61 more per patient over the six-year episode when compared with the traditional growing rod.
3. The results were sensitive to changes in the percentage of magnetically-controlled growing rod dual rod use, months between traditional rod lengthening and the percentage of inpatient versus outpatient traditional lengthening.
4. The researchers concluded the extra cost for magnetically-controlled growing rods was offset by eliminating the repeated traditional growing rod lengthening.