title: Dorsal column stimulation (DCS): cost to benefit analysis.
abstract: In order to analyse the ratio of costs to clinical benefit of the implantation of a neurostimulator (type Medtronic SE-4) we examined a group of 14 patients who required treatment for chronic lumboischialgia after repeated surgery for herniated discs. Over a period of two years we evaluated the pre- and postimplantation costs. The implantation of a DC-Stimulator resulted in a striking decrease in drug requirements, in the total time of clinical treatment, and in the degree of disability. The DCS provides a satisfying method of treatment for chronic lumboischialgia after repeated surgery for herniated discs. Despite relatively high primary costs, treatment with a DCS results in a significant decrease in the accumulated expenses in comparison to other methods of medical treatment in similar cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bel
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000191:economics*