{"id":"be1d256f-0720-4819-8e32-feb404b77de0","slug":"treatment-of-cervical-radiculopathy-a-review-of-the-evolution-and-economics","title":"Treatment of cervical radiculopathy: A review of the evolution and economics","authors":["Jared D. Ament","Tejas Karnati","Edwin Kulubya","Kee D. Kim","J. Patrick Johnson"],"abstract":"Background: The surgical treatment of cervical radiculopathy has centered around anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Alternatively, the posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy/microdiscectomy (PCF/PCM), which results in comparable outcomes and is more cost-effective, has been underutilized. Methods: Here, we compared the direct/indirect costs, reoperation rates, and outcome for ACDF and PCF vs. PCM using PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases. Results: There were no significant differences between the re-operative rates of PCF/PCM (2% to 9.8%) versus ACDF (2% to 8%). Direct costs of ACDF were also significantly higher; the 1-year cost-utility analysis demonstrated that ACDF had $131,951/QALY while PCM had $79,856/QALY. Conclusion: PCF/PCM for radiculopathy are safe and more cost-effective vs. ACDF, and have similar clinical outcomes.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/be1d256f-0720-4819-8e32-feb404b77de0/featured/hero-1782420881097.png","publishDate":"2018-02-14T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_441_17","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"http://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/8773/SNI-9-35.pdf"}