Studies on cost, morbidity associated with fusion surgeries released

Paradigm Spine has announced the release of results from two studies that looked at the rate of complications, costs, and readmission rates for patients who underwent lumbar decompression and spinal fusion for the treatment of spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, as well as its comparative effectiveness relative to the company’s Coflex Interlaminar Stabilization device and procedure.

In the one study, one in six elderly patients who underwent posterolateral spinal fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis underwent another operation on the spine within 2 years of the initial surgery. Also, one in four patients were readmitted after postoperative complications arose.

Within the second study, 5-year costs were found to be lower in patients implanted with the Coflex compared with those who underwent fusion, with estimated Medicare payments of $15,182 in Coflex patients vs. $26,863 in fusion patients. Additionally, mean quality-adjusted life years were higher for Coflex patients compared to controls (3.02 vs 2.97), the researchers found.

“We are pleased to see the Coflex Interlaminar Stabilization procedure being performed more cost-effectively and with significant cost savings compared to spinal fusion in this Medicare-age group,” Marc R. Viscogliosi, chairman and CEO of Paradigm Spine, said in a company press release. “Controlling costs and improving outcomes with less morbidity using minimally invasive techniques has to be a better alternative for patients. This comparative effectiveness study highlights the information payers and patients have been waiting for.”

Reference: Ong KL. Neurosurg Focus. 2014;doi:10.3171/2014.4.FOCUS1440.