Microdiscectomy is the most commonly performed spine surgery in the world. Due to its technical simplicity and low complication rate, this was the first spine surgical procedure transitioning for one-day surgery. However, the economic assessment of this outpatient transition was never performed and the question on the real impact in the burden of spine care remains.

This economic study aims to access the cost-utility of outpatient lumbar microdiscectomy when compared with the inpatient procedure.

To do so, a cost-utility study was performed, adopting the hospital perspective. Direct medical costs were retrieved from the assessment of 20 patients undergoing outpatient lumbar microdiscectomy and 20 undergoing inpatient lumbar microdiscectomy, from a in a Portuguese NHS hospital. Utilities were calculated with quality-adjusted life-years were derived from Oswestry Disability Index values (ODI). ODI was assessed prospectively in outpatients in pre and 3- and 6-month post-operative evaluations. Inpatient ODI data were estimated from a meta-analysis. both probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) calculated. A willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of €60000/QALY gained with inpatient procedure was defined.

Out results showed that inpatient procedure was cost-saving in all models tested. At 3-month assessment ICER ranged from €135753 to €345755/QALY, higher than the predefined WTP. At 6-month costs were lower and utilities were higher in outpatient, overpowering the inpatient procedure. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that in 65% to 73% of simulations outpatient was the better option. The savings with outpatient were about 55% of inpatient values, with similar utility scores. No 30-day readmissions were recorded in either group. The mean admission time in inpatient group was 2.5 days. Since there is an overall agreement among spine surgeons that an uncomplicated inpatient MD would only need a one-day admission, an analysis reducing inpatient admission time for one day was also performed and outpatient remained cost-effective.

In conclusion, as the first economic study on cost-utility of outpatient lumbar microdiscectomy, this study showed a significant reduction in costs, with a similar clinical outcome, proving this outpatient transition as cost-effective

Aim

Autologous-labeled leukocytes combined with sulfur colloid bone marrow scan is the current imaging modality of choice for diagnosing prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Although this technique is reliable, in-vitro leukocyte labeling raises technical difficulties that limit its widespread use and sulfur colloid is increasingly difficult to obtain. Therefore, valid alternatives are needed. The purpose of our study was to determine the clinical value of 99mTc-sulesomab combined with 99mTc-colloidal rhenium sulphide (nanocolloid) bone marrow imaging in the diagnosis of infection in painful total joint arthroplasties.

INTRODUCTION

Patellar tendon (PT) autograft is an excellent choice repairing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. Published studies testing the biomechanical characteristics after plasty usually refer to grafts with 10mm wide. The thickness of PT and geometry of the patella have been overlooked.

The purpose of this study was to understand the geometry of PT and patella in our population, regarding their use in Bone - Patellar Tendon - Bone (BTB) technique, in order to evaluate their biomechanical efficiency and study their relationship with anthropometric parameters.

Introduction

Interest in platelet-derived growth factors has been increasing as an adjunct in surgical techniques for tissue repair. Its use in ligament injuries repair has been studied mainly in animals. The authors intend to study growth factors influence in ACL repair using BTB graft.