Thoracolumbar fusions for adult lumbar deformity show superior QALY gain and lower costs compared with upper thoracic fusions

International Spine Study Group

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with sagittal plane deformity (N) or structural lumbar/thoraco-lumbar (TL) curves can be treated with fusions stopping at the TL junction or extending to the upper thoracic (UT) spine. This study evaluates the impact on cost/cumulative quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in patients treated with TL vs UT fusion. Methods: ASD patients with > 4-level fusion and 2-year follow-up were included. Index and total episode-of-care costs were estimated using average itemized direct costs obtained from hospital records. Cumulative QALY gained were calculated from preoperative to 2-year postoperative change in Short Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D) scores. The TL and UT groups comprised patients with upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) at T9-T12 and T2-T5, respectively. Results: Of 566 patients with type N or L curves, mean age was 63.2 ± 12.1 years, 72% were female and 93% Caucasians. Patients in the TL group had better sagittal vertical axis (7.3 ± 6.9 vs. 9.2 ± 8.1 cm, p = 0.01), lower surgical invasiveness (− 30; p < 0.001), and shorter OR time (− 35 min; p = 0.01). Index and total costs were 20% lower in the TL than in the UT group (p < 0.001). Cost/QALY was 65% lower (492,174.6 vs. 963,391.4), and 2-year QALY gain was 40% higher, in the TL than UT group (0.15 vs. 0.10; p = 0.02). Multivariate model showed TL fusions had lower total cost (p = 0.001) and higher QALY gain (p = 0.03) than UT fusions. Conclusion: In Schwab type N or L curves, TL fusions showed lower 2-year cost and improved QALY gain without increased reoperation rates or length of stay than UT fusions. Level of evidence: III.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1783-1791
Number of pages9
JournalSpine deformity
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2024

Keywords

  • Adult spinal deformity
  • Cost
  • Quality-adjusted life year
  • Thoracolumbar fusion
  • Upper thoracic fusion

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thoracolumbar fusions for adult lumbar deformity show superior QALY gain and lower costs compared with upper thoracic fusions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this