Economic analysis of minimally invasive spine fusion using AxiaLIF accepted for publication

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Baxano Surgical has announced that the Journal of Managed Care Medicine has accepted an economic analysis of the AxiaLIF pre-sacral interbody fusion procedure in comparison to transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

The analysis, conducted by Scott Parker, director of the Spinal Column Surgical Quality and Outcomes Research Laboratory at Vanderbilt University, and Matt McGirt, Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, adjunct associate professor, University of North Carolina, analysed the bibliography for AxiaLIF and TLIF procedures and assessed relative costs by looking at reoperation rates, complication rates, blood loss and operating room time. The study found that AxiaLIF resulted in an approximately US$4,500 lower cost per procedure when looking at these procedural parameters.

 


According to McGirt, “This study adds to the growing body of evidence that minimally invasive spine surgery technologies can provide down-stream economic benefits by shortening hospital stay, reducing hospital readmission, and accelerating return to work. In many cases, these down-stream cost savings can more than offset the upfront costs of MIS enabling implants and technologies.”

 


“Minimally invasive spine procedures can provide profound savings to the health care system. This paper evaluates the clinical and economic benefits of pre-sacral interbody fusion using the AxiaLIF implant based on a large compendium of peer reviewed published evidence,” states Ken Reali, president and chief executive officer of Baxano Surgical. “The Journal of Managed Care Medicine is a leading peer-reviewed publication targeting the community of insurance company medical directors that make decisions regarding which technologies to cover. We look forward to leveraging this publication as a key part of our dialogue with payor-policy decision-makers.”

 


The final published article will be available in the fall issue of the journal.