Posterolateral lumbar spine fusions: private v. NHS. Comparative, preliminary study.
In the present study comparative evaluation has been carried out between the groups of patients (31 in each group, private and National Health Service) treated by posterolateral lumbar spine fusion for mechanical lower back pain. The same surgical team was involved in the treatment. The patients were evaluated independently at an average follow-up of more than three years in each group. The acceptable clinical results (good and fair) showed a remarkable difference between the two groups, with the private group enjoying the better outcome. The difference of final outcome was analyzed by looking at the waiting time for surgery, the social classification of the patients and the provision of state benefit for disability.
Department of Orthopaedic, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary.
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Bucsi
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SM
Eisenstein
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013222:State Medicine