Cost-Effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Tubular vs. Open Laminectomy for Pure Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Markov State-Transition Analysis

Description

Rohan A. Phadke and seven colleagues compare the long-term value of two operations for lumbar spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal canal that is the most common reason older adults have spine surgery. One option is minimally invasive tubular decompression through a small tube; the other is traditional open laminectomy. Their computer model followed a simulated group of ten thousand sixty-five-year-olds for ten years from a United States payer viewpoint.

In the base case the minimally invasive route cost over four thousand dollars less per patient while giving slightly more quality-adjusted life years, a rare win on both cost and health. It stayed cost-effective in most simulations at common funding thresholds, helped by fewer complications and a cheaper initial operation. The authors say the result should inform coverage policy rather than dictate it, since some inputs remain uncertain.

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Source: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/PMC13617151