Economic value in spinal tumor surgery

The field of spine surgery, including spine oncology, may be a unique target of future efforts to encourage appropriate patient selection, promote more efficient resource allocation, and decrease sizable end-of-life care costs. This chapter examines recent trends, defines the measurement of economic value, and elucidates economic value within the context of specific spinal tumor interventions. The economic value framework of assessing outcomes relative to costs over time is a useful tool for studying and interpreting the benefits of oncologic spine interventions. When comparing the cost-effectiveness of new interventions and technologies or analyzing current strategies being utilized to increase value, it is important to critically examine the methodology used to benchmark associated outcomes and costs.