Two Surgeon Approach for Complex Spine Surgery: Rationale, Outcome, Expectations, and the Case for Payment Reform

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2019 May 1;27(9):e408-e413. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00717.

Abstract

There is an increased trend in complex spine deformity cases toward a two attending surgeon approach, but the practice has not become widely accepted by payers. Multiple studies have shown that spine surgery complications increase with the duration of case, estimated blood loss, and use of transfusions, as well as in certain high-risk populations or those requiring three-column osteotomies. Dual-surgeon cases have been shown to decrease estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, surgical times, and therefore complication rates. Although this practice comes at an uncertain price to medical training and short-term costs, the patient's quality of care should be prioritized by institutions and payers to include dual-surgeon coverage for these high-risk cases. Because we enter an era where the value of spine care and demonstrating cost-effectiveness is essential, dual surgeon attending approaches can enhance these tenets.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Loss, Surgical / statistics & numerical data
  • Blood Transfusion / statistics & numerical data
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis*
  • Humans
  • Operative Time
  • Orthopedic Surgeons* / economics
  • Osteotomy / economics*
  • Osteotomy / methods
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Prospective Payment System / economics*
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Risk
  • Spinal Fusion / economics*
  • Spinal Fusion / methods
  • Spine / abnormalities*
  • Spine / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome