Cost Effectiveness of Local Surgical Site Morselized Bone Autograft in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MI-TLIF) 9-Year Cost Analysis
Professor and Vice Chairman Michigan Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Institute Waterford, MI, US
Disclosure(s):
Mick J. Perez-Cruet, MD MS: No relevant disclosure to display
Introduction: The economic burden of spine procedures in the U.S is significantly high due to direct healthcare costs as well as bone graft-associated costs. Many studies have evaluated the cost utility of minimally invasive spine techniques, however, literature on cost savings from utilization of surgical site drilled morselized bone autograft (DMBA) is scarce.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent MI-TLIF by a single surgeon from January 2016-May 2024. The cost related bone graft used data of 550 patients was reviewed and analyzed.
Results: Between January 2016 to May 2024 a total of 550 MI-TLIF cases utilized surgical site drilled morselized autograft bone (DMAB). A total of 695 levels were fused using 5541cc of harvested DMAB. An average of 8.46cc/level of DMAB was collected. The mean direct cost savings per patient using surgical site DMAB was $4,624.15. This resulted in a total of $2,488,951.50 cost savings estimated over a 9-year period based on savings of use of cellular allograft.
Conclusion : The consistent use of surgical site drilled morselized bone autograph in minimally invasive spine surgeries can reduce the bone graft-related costs and, subsequently, the overall cost of spine fusion surgery while maintaining exceptionally high fusion rates and reduce bone graft related complications.