RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Symptomatic chronic low back and leg pain resulting from lumbar spine degenerative disorders is highly prevalent in China, and for some patients, surgery is the final option for improvement. Several techniques for spinal non-fusion have been introduced to reduce the side-effects of fusion methods and hasten postoperative recovery. In this study, the authors have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Dynesys posterior dynamic stabilization system (DY) compared with lumbar fusion techniques in the treatment of single-level degenerative lumbar spinal conditions. METHODS: A total of 221 patients undergoing single-level elective primary surgery for degenerative lumbar pathology were included. 2-Year postoperative health outcomes of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires were recorded. 2-Year back-related medical resource use, missed work, and health-state values (Quality-adjusted life-year [QALY]) were assessed. Cost-effectiveness was determined by the incremental cost per QALY gained. RESULTS: At each follow-up point, both cohorts were associated with significant improvements in VAS scores, ODI, SF-36 scores and EQ-5D QALY scores, which persisted at the 2-year evaluation. The 2-year total mean cost per patient were significantly lower for Dynesys system ($20,150) compared to fusion techniques ($25,581, $27,862 and $27,314, respectively) (P < 0.001). Using EQ-5D, the mean cumulative 2-year QALYs gained were statistically equivalent between the four groups (0.28, 0.27, 0.30 and 0.30 units, respectively) (P = 0.74). Results indicate that patients implanted with the DY system derive lower total costs and more utility, on average, than those treated with fusion. CONCLUSIONS: The Dynesys dynamic stabilization system is cost effective compared to instrumented lumbar fusion for treatment of single-level degenerative lumbar disorders. It is not possible to state whether DY or lumbar fusion is more cost-effective after 2 years.