Undefunding Surgical treatment of spinal deformities: Clinical epidemiological and economical analysis

Abstract

The underfunding of the surgical treatment of spinal deformities has resulted in a progressive increase in the number of patients on the waiting list for surgery in reference centers for treatment of high complexity. The number of patients referred for surgical treatment of deformities raises every year in reference centers. Because to the underfunding of this treatment, waiting lists for surgery also increases. The delay for the surgical treatment of spinal deformities can cause an increase of the deformity, need to perform more complex techniques. These techniques have higher morbidity, less ability to correct the deformity, and causes great distress in patients and family members. The significant increase of patients on the waiting list for the surgical treatment of spinal deformities in the Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto - USP was the motivation for the development of the project to be carried out in three steps: 1 - clinical and epidemiological characterization of patients who are on the waiting list for surgical treatment of spinal deformities; 2 - Assessment of progression of deformity and alteration of the indication for surgical treatment due to waiting for treatment, and 3 - economic evaluation of surgical treatment of deformities. (AU)