Cost-Effectiveness of Surgical Techniques in Hallux Valgus.

Health care costs are increasing. Funding is not increasing at a commensurate rate. Demonstrable cost-effectiveness is critical when selecting operation and implant type. Clinicians must justify their decision on surgery and implant type, providing patient-reported outcome measures (PROM). Providing such data on cost and PROM forms the basis of future cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). Such analysis is complex. Future research should analyze cost variables individually. Day case surgery, multimodal analgesia, and simultaneous surgery for bilateral cases show promise in reducing cost. With evidence of increased recurrence, requirement for additional equipment and more expensive implants it is unlikely to demonstrate superior cost-effectiveness.

A comparative prospective cohort health economic analysis comparing ankle fusion, isolated great toe fusion and hallux valgus surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the health economics and outcomes of three common foot and ankle operations. METHODS: Between July 2013 and October 2014 all patients undergoing ankle fusion (AF) for osteoarthritis, first metatarsophalangeal joint fusion for osteoarthritis (MF) or hallux valgus surgery (HV) were included. Patients having additional procedures were excluded. Patients completed the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOX-FQ), the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and the EQ-VAS on presentation and at least 6 months post-operatively. RESULTS: 63 patients undergoing AF (n=22), MF (n=22), or HV (n=32) completed preoperative and postoperative questionnaires. 76 completed preoperative questionnaires and 63 completed the follow up questionnaires. The follow up questionnaires were completed at a median of 12 months (range 6-24 months) following surgery. The mean age at surgery was 59 years (range 26-85 years). Pre-operative MOX-FQ and EQ-5D-5L scores differed significantly between the three groups with AF and MF patients reporting worse scores compared to HV patients. MOX-FQ and EQ-5D-5L significantly improved in all groups from pre-operative levels. MOX-FQ: AF from 53.8 (CI 56.8-50.8) to 22.9 (CI 30.9-14.9), MF from 43.0 (CI 46.4-39.6) to 12.1 (CI 18.3-5.9), HV from 35.4 (CI 39.0-31.7) to 15.6 (CI 21.1-10.1). EQ-5D-5L: AF from 0.30 (CI 0.43-0.17) to 0.66 (CI 0.77-0.55), MF from 0.45(CI 0.52-0.38) to 0.83 (CI 0.90-0.76), HV from 0.71(CI 0.74-0.68) to 0.82 (CI 0.88-0.76). There was no significant difference in the EQ-VAS suggesting it may not be representative of foot and ankle health. Health economics analysis using the EQ-5D-5L data to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) suggested all three procedures were favourable compared to threshold levels of cost-effectiveness. There were differences in estimated costs between the three operations with AF at £2950 (threshold cost <£5400) and MF at £1197 (threshold cost <£5780) and HV varying from £625 to £1688 (threshold cost <£1640). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that the joint-specific (MOX-FQ) and generic health (EQ-5D-5L) outcome scores of patients improved after AF, MF and HV. The greatest benefit from surgery was gained in the arthritic patient groups. In the future, the use of large population patient reported outcome measures data may also potentially have implications for prioritisation of healthcare provision, acting as an indicator of foot and ankle surgical procedures that produce the most benefit to patients.

Comparison of postoperative costs of two surgical techniques for hallux valgus (Kramer vs. scarf).

BACKGROUND: Most studies of hallux valgus surgery focus on the radiological findings or on medium-term clinical follow-up. The results obtained using various osteotomy techniques do not differ greatly. However, patient comfort and the need for postoperative care do appear to present differences. In the Kramer technique, the osteotomy is secured with a wire extruding from the skin of the foot. In this situation, patients may well experience problems (or at least discomfort) in the immediate postoperative period. Previous studies of the Kramer technique (also known as SERI, or percutaneous distal metatarsal osteotomy) do not report an increased number of complications. Early complications may not influence the outcome in the medium to long term, and patient discomfort during the postoperative period is rarely reflected in the analysis of one-year results obtained with standard scales such as AOFAS; in our experience, however, patient discomfort, the care burden (i.e., the number of visits and emergency service consultations) and the economic cost of immediate postoperative care are all aspects that should be borne in mind when assessing the merits of different surgical techniques. In this study we compare the care burden and economic cost of two surgical approaches to hallux valgus correction--the Kramer and the scarf techniques--during the first postoperative year. METHODS: Retrospective review of two independent patient cohorts. Sixty-nine feet underwent Kramer osteotomy and 133 the scarf technique. Care burden was assessed by the number of visits each patient required and the complications. The follow-up and costs of each were assessed and compared independently. RESULTS: Both techniques obtain satisfactory clinical results at one year. However, comparison of clinical progression showed AOFAS score increases of 34.7 points for Kramer and 41.1 points for the scarf technique (p-value<0.05). Patients in the Kramer group required a higher number of visits, especially postoperative emergency department visits (p<0.05), and had a significantly higher number of complications (27.5% vs. 6.7%, p<0.05). The mean cost of follow-up was significantly higher in the Kramer group (€ 218.97 vs. € 171.41, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Kramer osteotomy presented significantly higher care burdens, complication rates and associated costs during the first year of follow-up. It is therefore a less cost-effective technique. Thus, even though according to the results of AOFAS we would not have changed our clinical practice, the analysis of these data has made us change our treatment strategy for hallux valgus and practically abandoned the use of the Kramer osteotomies.

Availability of consumer prices for bunion surgery.

BACKGROUND: Today, insurance insulates most patients from the true costs of the health care services they consume. Economists believe that the absence of price signals incentivizes patients to pursue more extensive care than they would otherwise. Reformers propose restoring price consciousness to patients as a way to tame the soaring costs of American health care. To test this idea, we decided to gauge the availability and variability of price quotes for a common elective surgery-bunion repair. METHODS: Orthopedic clinics were sorted by state and randomly selected from an online directory maintained by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Each selected clinic was contacted up to 3 times in an attempt to get a full, bundled price quote using a standardized patient script. If this was unavailable, an isolated quote for the physician fee alone was solicited. RESULTS: Of the 141 clinics contacted, 56 (39.7%) could provide a physician price estimate and 12 (8.5%) could give a complete bundled estimate, including hospital fees. The overall mean bundled price quoted was $18 332, while the overall mean physician fee quoted was $2487. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean price quoted by academic and private clinics, nor was regional variation observed. CONCLUSION: We found low price availability for elective bunion procedures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: However, the wide variation observed in the prices that were quoted suggests that a very determined patient may be able to spend substantially less on an elective surgery if they were willing to select a provider carefully.

[Cost-effectiveness of a hallux valgus day-surgery program]. / Coste-efectividad del proceso hallux valgus en cirugía mayor ambulatoria.

INTRODUCTION: The development of one-day surgery units has shown to be a better use of health resources without reducing quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and quality criteria of ambulatory surgery program in the Hallux valgus process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on a sample of 753 patients who underwent a Hallux valgus process at our institution between 2002 and 2012 (292 in ambulatory surgery cohort and 461 in hospitalization group). The cost-process was evaluated using the Weighted Care Unitas a measuring unit. Secondary data were collected as regards discharge criteria and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between Weighted Care Unit spending on in-patient surgery and out-patient surgery. Both samples were comparable and no differences were found between diagnosis and intervention. The admission rate after ambulatory surgery was 2.39%, and the substitution index increased to 56.04%. The ambulatory surgery program was given a satisfaction rating of 84.6 out of 100. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that it is possible to maximize the substitution index of the Hallux valgus process leading to a better use of resources and a high degree of patient satisfaction.

Coste-efectividad del proceso hallux valgus en cirugía mayor ambulatoria / Cost-effectiveness of a hallux valgus day-surgery program

Introducción. El desarrollo de las unidades de cirugía mayor ambulatoria ha puesto de manifiesto una mejor utilización de los recursos sanitarios sin mermar la calidad de los mismos. El objetivo del trabajo es valorar la eficacia del programa de cirugía mayor ambulatoria en el proceso Hallux valgus y sus criterios de calidad. Material y métodos. Se analizan retrospectivamente todos los pacientes intervenidos del proceso Hallux valgus en nuestro centro entre de 2002 y 2012 obteniendo una muestra de 753 pacientes (292 en el grupo de cirugía mayor ambulatoria y 461 en el grupo de hospitalización). Se recogen los datos relativos al paciente y los datos relativos al coste, proceso utilizando como unidad de medida la unidad ponderada asistencial. Secundariamente se recogieron los datos en cuanto a los criterios de alta y satisfacción de los pacientes. Resultados. Se encontró una diferencia muy significativa entre el gasto en la unidad ponderada asistencial de pacientes hospitalizados y los que se intervinieron en cirugía mayor ambulatoria. Ambas muestras eran comparables y no se encontraron diferencias demográficas ni de tipos de intervención. El índice de ingreso poscirugía mayor ambulatoria fue de 2,39% y el de sustitución creció hasta el 56,04%. Se obtuvo un índice de satisfacción de 84,6 puntos sobre 100 en el programa de cirugía ambulatoria. Conclusiones. Los resultados de nuestro estudio indican que es posible incrementar al máximo el índice de sustitución del proceso Hallux valgus consiguiendo una mejor utilización de los recursos y con un alto grado de satisfacción de los pacientes (AU)

Introduction. The development of one-day surgery units has shown to be a better use of health resources without reducing quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and quality criteria of ambulatory surgery program in the Hallux valgus process. Material and methods. A retrospective study was conducted on a sample of 753 patients who underwent a Hallux valgus process at our institution between 2002 and 2012 (292 in ambulatory surgery cohort and 461 in hospitalization group). The cost-process was evaluated using the Weighted Care Unitas a measuring unit. Secondary data were collected as regards discharge criteria and patient satisfaction. Results. A significant difference was found between Weighted Care Unit spending on in-patient surgery and out-patient surgery. Both samples were comparable and no differences were found between diagnosis and intervention. The admission rate after ambulatory surgery was 2.39%, and the substitution index increased to 56.04%. The ambulatory surgery program was given a satisfaction rating of 84.6 out of 100. Conclusions. The results of our study indicate that it is possible to maximize the substitution index of the Hallux valgus process leading to a better use of resources and a high degree of patient satisfaction (AU)

Unilateral versus bilateral first ray surgery: a prospective study of 186 consecutive cases--patient satisfaction, cost to society, and complications.

Many studies have evaluated bilateral versus unilateral surgery in large joints, but limited research is available to compare outcomes of bilateral staged foot surgeries versus synchronous bilateral foot surgery. In total, 186 consecutive cases of first metatarsal-phalangeal (MTP) joint surgery were prospectively included in this study; 252 procedures were performed: 120 were unilateral or staged bilateral operations, and 66 were synchronous bilateral operations. Patients were evaluated at 6 and 12 weeks for specific early complications and surveyed about their return to work, activities of daily living, shoe gear requirements, satisfaction, and reasons for choosing staged or synchronous surgery. In addition, a cost analysis was performed on all surgical scenarios. Student t test showed no statistical significance between groups in all clinical settings to a 95% confidence level. Complication rates were similar and few in all situations. Patients were very satisfied when choosing bilateral synchronous surgery and would elect to repeat it the same way 97% of the time. The economic costs to the health system average 25% greater when patients undergoing first MTP joint surgery have the procedure performed one foot at a time. Combined with the time lost from work, this reveals a significant economic cost to both society and patient.

[Hallux valgus surgery in 2005. Conventional, mini-invasive or percutaneous surgery? Uni- or bilateral? Hospitalisation or one-day surgery?]. / La chirurgie de l'hallux valgus en 2005. Chirurgie conventionnelle, mini-invasive ou percutanée ? Uni- ou bilatérale ? Hospitalisation ou ambulatoire ?

There remains a good deal of controversy concerning forefoot surgery. Certain concepts such as conventional procedures, minimally invasive surgery, or percutaneous surgery are promoted because of their specific advantages including rapid recovery and compatibility with a short hospital stay or even outpatient surgery. Nevertheless, in 2005 many questions remain unanswered and highly variable practices have been basically founded on personal experience rather than scientific evidence. In addition, financial and lobbying pressure appears to have an influence on our choices, affecting the freedom of our therapeutic decision-making. Developed over a long period, conventional surgery has proven reliability, reproducibility and adaptability. Procedures termed minimally invasive are defined by the limited incision. Percutaneous surgery is not less invasive than other procedures; the techniques are performed under indirect visual control and often assisted with more or less sophisticated radioscopic techniques depending on the surgeon's own experience. In our opinion, percutaneous surgery should be considered as a new concept based on rapid and functional results. Patients often raise the question of a bilateral procedure. For hallux valgus, there is no consensus on whether unilateral or bilateral procedures are better, the best solution depending on postoperative weight bearing and thus on the technique employed. From a cost expenditures point of view, bilateral procedures have an impact. For the advantages in terms of macroeconomy for professional incapacity, the question is less univocal for healthcare authorities. Advances in perioperative anesthesia and analgesia have enabled a broader approach to ambulatory surgery. Outpatient surgery appears to have benefits in terms of organization and economics. Variables studied were as follows: duration of hospital stay, postoperative edema, number of days of sick leave and preoperative and early and late postoperative pain. Patients who underwent minimally invasive procedures had a significantly shorter hospital stay compared with three other groups. For bilateral procedures, hospital stay on average was longer than in the two other groups. There was no correlation between postoperative edema and pain or between the degree of edema at 15 days and two months. Mean sick leave was 54.6 days. This was significantly shorter for percutaneous procedures compared with conventional surgery or minimally invasive techniques. Preoperative pain was noted four to five on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). There was no significant difference between the different groups as a function of the type of surgery performed. Statistically, there is very little difference in the short term between the different techniques. A much longer study would be necessary to obtain evidence to guide our practices. While there is certainly no reason to condemn one method or another, surgeons must be careful about the promises given to patients which are generally based on personal experience but not necessarily supported by rigorous scientific data.

Hallux valgus: immediate operation versus 1 year of waiting with or without orthoses: a randomized controlled trial of 209 patients.

Hallux valgus operations can not always be done immediately because of long waiting lists. In this study, 209 consecutive patients (mean age 48 years, 93% female) with a painful hallux valgus were randomized into 3 groups: immediate operation or 1 year waiting with or without foot orthoses. The follow-up period was 2 years. The main outcome measurement was the intensity of pain during walking. During the first year, 64/71, 0/69 and 4/69 patients were operated on in the surgery, orthosis and no orthosis groups, respectively, and during the 2-year follow-up, 66, 43 and 48, respectively. At the 1-year follow-up, the pain was least intense in the surgery group. At the 2-year follow-up, the intensity of pain was similar in all groups. The satisfaction with treatment was best in the surgery and orthosis groups. The total costs of care were similar in all groups. We conclude that immediate operation is superior to delayed operation or foot orthoses. However, if this is not possible because of limited possibilities for surgery, waiting for 1 year, with or without an orthosis, does not jeopardize the final outcome.

Surgery vs orthosis vs watchful waiting for hallux valgus: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Hallux valgus is a common foot deformation in adults, but evidence for effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatments for this condition is limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of surgical and orthotic treatment with no treatment in patients with hallux valgus. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized controlled trial conducted in 4 general community hospitals in Finland in 1997-1998, with a follow-up period of 12 months. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred nine consecutive patients (mean age, 48 years; 93% women) with a painful bunion and a hallux valgus angle 35 degrees or less. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to surgery (distal chevron osteotomy; n = 71), orthosis (n = 69), or a 1-year waiting list (control group, n = 69). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain intensity during walking on a visual analog scale (0-100), patient assessment of global improvement, number of painful days, cosmetic disturbance, footwear problems, functional status, and treatment satisfaction, compared among treatment groups. RESULTS: Follow-up rates at 6 and 12 months were 99% and 98%, respectively. At 6 months, pain intensity decreased more in the surgical group than in the control group (adjusted mean differences, -20 [95% confidence interval (CI), -28 to -12]) and more in orthosis than in the control groups (adjusted mean difference, -14 [95% CI, -22 to -6. At 1 year, pain intensity decreased more in the surgical than in the control groups (adjusted mean difference, -19 [95% CI, -28 to -10]) and more than in the surgical and orthosis groups (adjusted mean difference, -14 [95% CI, -22 to -5]). At 1 year, 83%, 46%, and 24% in the surgery, orthosis, and control groups, respectively, thought they had improved compared with baseline (number needed to treat), 1.7 between surgical and control groups). Number of painful days, cosmetic disturbance, and footwear problems were least and functional status and satisfaction with treatment were best in the surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical osteotomy is an effective treatment for painful hallux valgus. Orthoses provide short-term symptomatic relief.