RESEARCH PROTOCOL: Cervical Arthroplasty Cost Effectiveness Study (CACES) Economic Evaluation of Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Arthroplasty Versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion in the Surgical Treatment of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease, a Randomized Controlled Trial.

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-977424/v1

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Research Article

RESEARCH PROTOCOL: Cervical Arthroplasty Cost Effectiveness Study (CACES) Economic Evaluation of Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Arthroplasty Versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion in the Surgical Treatment of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease, a Randomized Controlled Trial.

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-977424/v1

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Introduction

To date, there is no consensus on which anterior surgical technique is more cost-effective in treating cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD). The most commonly used surgical treatment for patients with single- or multi-level symptomatic CDDD is anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). However, new complaints of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy commonly develop at adjacent levels, also known as clinical adjacent segment pathology (CASP). The extent to which kinematics, surgery-induced fusion, natural history and progression of disease play a role in the development of CASP remain unclear. Anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) is another treatment option that is thought to reduce the incidence of CASP by preserving motion in the operated segment. While ACDA is often discouraged, as the implant costs are higher while the clinical outcomes are similar to ACDF, preventing CASP might be a reason for ACDA to be a more cost-effective technique in the long-term.

Methods and analysis

In this randomized controlled trial, patients will be randomized to receive ACDF or ACDA in a 1:1 ratio. Adult patients with single- or multi-level CDDD and symptoms of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy will be included. The primary outcome is cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of both techniques from a healthcare and societal perspective. Secondary objectives are the differences in clinical and radiological outcomes between the two techniques, as well as the qualitative process surrounding anterior decompression surgery. All outcomes will be measured at baseline, and every six months until four years post-surgery.

Discussion

High-quality evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of both ACDA and ACDF is lacking; to date, there are no prospective trials from a societal perspective. Considering the ageing of the population and the rising healthcare costs, there is an urgent need for a solid clinical cost-effectiveness trial addressing this question.

Health Economics & Outcomes Research

Cervical degenerative disc disease

cervical myelopathy

cervical radiculopathy

anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty

cost-effectiveness

Strengths and limitations of this study

The sample size is based on estimated costs and average yearly incidence of CASP, which may differ from reality.
External validity and generalizability are limited, as costs are country-specific.
A broad economic analysis from a societal perspective in the setting of a prospective randomized controlled trial will investigate the cost-effectiveness of ACDA and ACDF for CDDD, resulting in level I evidence.
The burden for patients in this study is low, and potential risks in the intervention group (ACDA) are similar to those in the control group (ACDF), which is standard care.
Since the gap in incidence of additional CASP-related surgery between ACDF and ACDA expands considerably with time, we expect that a difference in costs, if found within the four-year follow-up period, will also increase over time.

Cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD) is the degeneration of a cervical intervertebral disc and/or the adjoining vertebral bodies, resulting in clinical symptoms of cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, myeloradiculopathy, and axial pain. The incidence of degenerative pathologies is significantly increasing as the population of elderly is rising^1,2. Currently, generalized spinal disc degeneration occurs in more than 90% of adults over 50 years old³. This age group now represents 32.8% of the population in Europe, and is projected to reach 40.6% by 2050². In the next 20 years, a significant increase in anterior cervical decompression surgeries is predicted in people aged 45–54, mainly affecting the working population^4–6. Complaints of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy lead to restrictions in daily life and loss of professional capability, resulting in absenteeism. Societal healthcare costs are therefore significantly affected by CDDD. Further costs of healthcare are accrued when patients require surgical treatment, combined with associated hospitalization and rehabilitation. Currently there are several (surgical) treatments for CDDD are available. To date, there is no consensus on which surgical technique is more cost-effective in treating CDDD with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy.

One of the most common procedures for treating patients with single- or multi-level CDDD is anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF)^7,8, which results in fusion in 95–100%of the cases⁹. Axial pain alone is not considered an indication for surgical treatment in our center. The primary goal of ACD(F) is the relief of symptoms of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy through decompression of neural structures. Fusion in itself is not a requisite to reach this goal. In our center, ACDF with stand-alone cages is the standard procedure for CDDD; plate-constructs are only used on indication. A common concern regarding ACDF with stand-alone cages is the occurrence of cage subsidence. However, in our recent retrospective cohort of 673 patients, only 1 patient required additional surgery due to subsidence (0.15%)¹⁰. Good short-term clinical results are achieved for both radiculopathy and myelopathy^9,11. Clinical results are independent from the technique used, and from the occurrence of fusion^9,11−13. However, patient-reported satisfaction gradually decreases in the years following surgery^14,15. This is thought to be the consequence of the development of new complaints due to degenerative changes at a segment adjacent to the site of the index surgery, also known as adjacent segment pathology (ASP)¹⁶.

A recent consensus proposes a distinct definition that distinguishes between radiologic adjacent segment pathology (RASP) and clinical adjacent segment pathology (CASP)¹⁶. CASP occurs at an estimated cumulative rate of 1.6–4.2% per year after ACDF^16,17, however the incidence reported in literature varies widely^18–21. Nevertheless, 50–75% of the patients that develop CASP require additional adjacent segment surgery^17,22−27. In our retrospective cohort, we observed a rate of 2.1% of CASP per year, with an additional adjacent segment surgery rate of 1.5% per year¹⁰. Moreover, we found that half of these additional surgeries for CASP are performed within 2.5 years, which suggests a peak incidence in the first years following the index surgery¹⁰.

The underlying mechanism of ASP remains a matter of debate. Besides natural degeneration, compensation for the loss of motion in the fused segment is thought to cause overstraining of the adjacent segments^28–30. Altered cervical sagittal alignment is also thought to be important in the accelerated development of CASP. Indeed, higher rates of CASP are observed after ACD, concomitant with an increased segmental kyphosis at the index level^12,31,32. Unlike ACD, ACDF with plate-constructs restores cervical sagittal lordosis. However, a higher rate of ASP is observed in patients with plate-constructs compared to ACDF with stand-alone cages^12,33. This finding might be explained by the plate causing strain on the adjacent segments, or the more extensive surgical preparation for installing the plate, which increases the chance of destruction at the adjacent level. Another contributing factor might be the occurrence of subsidence of the plate-construct into the adjacent segment. Disc height at the adjacent segments has been found to be significantly decreased in patients with plate-constructs, which supports this theory³³. Nevertheless, the extent to which altered cervical motion influences the development of ASP remains unknown^34,35.

Anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) was developed as another treatment option to reduce the incidence of CASP by preserving motion in the operated segment. Previously conducted research in patients with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy has shown that clinical and radiological outcomes are similar between ACDA and ACD(F)^28,36,37. A meta-analysis found better neurological outcomes in patients with myelopathy after ACDA, in contrast to the pre-existing notion that ACDA leads to less favorable outcomes in myelopathy due to micro-trauma caused by preserved mobility³⁸. Moreover, additional adjacent segment surgery rates are significantly lower for ACDA, both for single- and multi-level surgeries^39,40. The difference in additional adjacent segment surgery rates between ACDA and ACDF expands exponentially with longer-follow-up time [Table 1]. Despite these long-term benefits of ACDA, it is often discouraged since the clinical outcomes are similar to ACDF, but the implant costs are higher. However, preventing new complaints and additional surgeries due to CASP might be a reason for ACDA to be a more cost-effective technique in the long-term. A systematic review of economic evaluations in anterior cervical decompression surgery was conducted by our research group⁴¹. Indeed, the majority of studies reported ACDA to be the most cost-effective technique despite the higher implant costs. However, literature was highly heterogeneous and of low quality. Hence, although there is increasing evidence suggesting that ACDA might be the more long-term cost-effective technique because of the reduced risk on CASP and associated additional surgery rates compared to ACD(F), the quality of this evidence is lacking, especially in Europe. Therefore, the need for a solid clinical cost-effectiveness trial addressing this question is high.

Table 1

Incidence rates of additional surgery for CASP
	FU time (years)	ACDA (%)	ACDF (%)	Annual rate ACDA (%)	Annual rate ACDF (%)
Trial registration NCT00389597
Radcliff⁴²	7	3.7 4.4	13.6 11.3	0.5	1.9
Radcliff³⁹	5	3.1	11.4	0.6	2.3
Jackson ⁴³	5	4.5 7.3	17.3 21	0.9 1.5	3.5 4.2
Radcliff⁴⁴	3	5.7	10.5	1.9	3.5
Davis⁴⁵	2	0.9	0	0.4	0
Trial registration NCT0029108
Loumeau⁴⁶	7	0	18.2	0	2.6
Janssen⁴⁷	7	7	18	1	2.6
Zigler⁴⁸ & Delamarter⁴⁹	5	2.9	11.3	0.6	2.3
Murrey⁵⁰	2	1.8	8.5	0.9	4.2
Trial registration NCT00637156
Gornet⁵¹	10	9	17.9	0.9	1.8
Gornet⁵²	7	11.6 6.5	10.9 12.5	0.9	1.8
Lanman⁵³	7	6.5	12.5	0.9	1.8
Gornet⁵⁴	2	2.4	3.2	1.2	1.6
Trial registration NCT642876
Burkus⁵⁵	7	4.6	11.9	0.7	1.7
Mummameni⁵⁶	2	1.1	3.4	0.5	1.7
Trial registration NCT00437190
Loidolt⁵⁷	10	9.7	15.8	1.0	1.6
Lavelle⁵⁸	10	9.7	15.8	1.0	1.6
Sasso⁵⁹	4	4.1	4.1	2.8	1.7
Heller⁶⁰	2	2.5	3.6	1.2	1.8
Average [range]				1.0 [0;2.8]	2.2 [0;4.2]

Objectives

The aim of the proposed study is to examine whether ACDA is preferred over ACDF in terms of cost-effectiveness from a healthcare and societal perspective, in patients with single- or multi-level symptomatic CDDD. Secondary objectives include differences in clinical and radiological outcomes between the two techniques, as well as the qualitative process surrounding anterior decompression surgery.

Study design

This is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Patients will be randomized in a computer-generated 1:1 ratio to ensure equal division among both groups. One study arm receives ACDA (intervention group), and the other receives ACDF (control group). Group allocation will be performed per patient, not per level, meaning that no hybrid constructs will be used in this study. Figure 1 depicts the flowchart of the study process. Data will be collected at baseline, and at six-month intervals until four years post-surgery. A follow-up period of four years was chosen to encompass the expected incidence of 1.6–4.2% of additional CASP-related surgeries of per year, with a peak incidence in the first 2.5 years¹⁶. It is reasonable to expect that most CASP events will occur within this follow-up period, and that we will be able to gather reliable cost-data of patients and informal caregivers (ICGs). The patients will be blinded to their received treatment for the first year after surgery to obtain more reliable patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Ethical principles and funding

This research will be conducted according to principles enshrined in the Declaration of Helsinki (3th edition 2013) and in accordance with the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO). The study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen (document nr: METCZ20200025, NL72534.096.20). Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients included in the study. To protect the privacy of all participants, all collected data will be encoded. Data collection will be carried out using the data management module from the research manager at Zuyderland. This application for detailed custom-made electronic data collection meets all guidelines of Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Trial auditing is incorporated in this system. Handling of personal data will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (in Dutch: Algemene Verorderning Gegevensbescherming (AVG)). All patients are insured for participation in this trial and the possible consequences.

Monitoring will be performed by trained and qualified monitors from an external party, remotely and on site (Clinical Trial Centre Maastricht). All (serious) adverse events will be recorded.

In-kind support is provided by B. Braun Aesculap in the form of reduced cost for the implants. They have no influence on any aspect of conception/writing of the protocol, selection of subjects, data acquisition or data analysis, or any step in the writing or publication process of articles concerning this study.

Participants and Recruitment

Patients will be enrolled in the Department of Neurosurgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, the Netherlands. All adult patients indicated for single- or multi-level surgery for radiculopathy and/or myelopathy due to CDDD are eligible to be included in the study.

If patients choose not to participate in the study, the standard treatment will be offered. If patients agree to be included in the study, they will fill in the informed consent form. ICGs will also be asked to participate, to enable a broad societal evaluation of costs. Patients can leave the study at any time for any reason without consequences. The investigator can decide to withdraw a patient from the study for urgent medical reasons. Since the sample size accounts for a 10% loss over follow-up, patients will not be replaced after withdrawal.

Inclusion criteria

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a patient must meet all of the following criteria:

- Indication for anterior cervical decompression surgery.
- Single- or multi-level CDDD between C3 and C7.
- Symptoms of myelopathy, radiculopathy, or myeloradiculopathy.
- In the case of pure radiculopathy: refractory to at least 6 weeks of conservative therapy.
- In the case of myelopathy, it must be symptomatic.
- Patients ≥ 18 years of age.

Exclusion criteria

Patients who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

- Indication for (additional) posterior surgical approach.
- Indication for additional stabilization of the pathological segment by a plate.
- Previous ventral surgery of the cervical spine.
- Traumatic origin of the compression.
- Previous radiotherapy of the cervical spine.
- Metabolic bone disease.
- Inflammatory spinal disease: e.g., Bechterew’s disease, Forestier’s disease.
- Infection of the cervical spine.
- Unable to fill out Dutch questionnaires.
- Informed consent not possible.

Interventions

One of two surgical procedures will be performed on patients participating in this study; ACDA (intervention group) and ACDF (control group). In both techniques, the disc space contents are resected through a right- or left-sided anterior surgical approach. The endplates are prepared with curettes and the disc space contents are removed. The posterior longitudinal ligament is opened, and the dura is visualized to ensure adequate decompression. In the ACDF group, a cage is implanted; in the ACDA group, a disc prosthesis is implanted after the discectomy. This is done in accordance with the manufacturer’s protocol for implantation and endplate preparation. In both groups, the wound is closed in layers, after a prevertebral wound drain is placed. Potential surgical risks are similar between the cage (ACDF) and the arthroplasty group (ACDA)^38,61.

Post-surgical care is the same for both groups. Patients receive 24 hours of antibiotic prophylaxis, and after 24 hours the prevertebral wound drain is removed. Patients can use analgesics post-operatively, and they are allowed to mobilize immediately. The day after surgery, a physical therapist provides patients with standardized exercises. Patients are not routinely referred to a physical therapist, and no neck collar is used. Most patients are discharged home one or two days after the surgery.

Outcome measures

All outcomes will be measured at baseline, and at six-month intervals until four years post-surgery.

Primary Outcome

The primary outcome is cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of ACDA compared to ACDF from a societal perspective, in patients with single- or multi-level CDDD and symptoms of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. The economic evaluation will involve a combination of a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-utility analysis (CUA) from a societal perspective. In the CUA, the effects are presented as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), based on the EuroQol 5 dimensions 5 levels (EQ-5D-5L)⁶² utility scores⁶³. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) will be expressed as the incremental costs per QALY. This economic evaluation will be conducted according to the Dutch Guidelines of the National Health Care Institute^64–66. The following validated cost questionnaires will be used: Productivity Cost Questionnaire (iPCQ)⁶⁷and the Medical Consumption Questionnaire (iMCQ)⁶⁷. These questionnaires allow a broad measurement of societal costs, including medical consumption, and both paid and unpaid loss of productivity for patients. ICG’s will be asked to fill out the Limited Valuation of Informal Care Questionnaire (iVICQ)⁶⁸, which consists of the Care-related Quality of Life instrument (CarerQol-7D) and the Self-Rated Burden scale (SRB). This measures the (subjective) burden for ICG and the assessment of caregiving in terms of wellbeing.

Secondary outcomes

Secondary outcomes will consist of both clinical and radiological outcome measurements. Per-operative parameters such as intraoperative complications, operative time, size of the implant and blood loss will be evaluated.

Clinical outcomes will be assessed according to the rate of CASP and associated additional surgeries, combined with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). The included PROMs are; the Neck Disability Index (NDI)⁶⁹, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)⁷⁰ for neck and arm pain, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS)⁷¹, and the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (mJOA)⁷² for myelopathy patients.

Radiological outcomes will be assessed at three time points; pre-operatively, directly post-operative and one-year post-operative. Pre-operative imaging will assess baseline degeneration according to the Kellgren-Lawrence Score (KS)⁷³, cervical sagittal alignment and baseline disc height. Moreover, a full sagittal spine X-ray will be taken to assess pre-operative global balance according to the odontoid-hip axis (OD-HA)⁷⁴. A standard cervical spine X-ray will be taken at the immediate post-operative period (before discharge) to assess the position of the implant, subsidence and cervical sagittal alignment. Cervical spine X-rays will be taken again one-year post-surgery. A standard cervical spine X-ray will be taken to assess fusion, cage subsidence, adjacent segment degeneration (KS), adjacent segment disc height and alignment. A flexion and extension X-ray will be taken to assess movement. Radiological cage subsidence will be defined as > 3mm decrease of interbody height compared to the direct post-operative X-ray^75,76.

Moreover, a process evaluation will be performed to determine the underlying values, needs, impacts and preferences of people with CDDD. The focus will be on the experiences and opinions of patients, caregivers, and professionals concerning the process surrounding ACDA and ACDF. A process evaluation might also identify gaps or limitations in the published research with regards to important outcomes to those with lived experience. A qualitative analysis will be performed according to the framework provided by Saunders et al⁷⁷.

Power considerations

The primary outcome of the proposed study is cost-effectiveness. No difference in QALYs is expected between the intervention and control group based on previous literature⁴¹.

The only expected difference in clinical effectivity is the additional adjacent segment surgery rate, with an average of 1.0% versus 2.2% [Table 1]. Although small, a difference in additional surgery rates is evidently present in all trials, increasing exponentially over the years. We believe that the small inter-group difference may result in a cost-effective intervention, mainly because we expect most of the difference in costs to arise from episodes of secondary symptoms, which can lead to absenteeism, use of analgesic medication, use of (para)medical supplies and additional adjacent segment surgery.

Reported additional adjacent segment surgery rates for ACDA vary from 0–2.8% per year, with an average of 1.0% based on the largest FDA/IDE trials^46,78. As for ACDF, yearly reported additional adjacent segment surgery rates range from 0–4.2%, with an average of 2.2%^79,80.

The cost of a cervical disc prosthesis for ACDA is estimated to be around €2,000, while the cage for an ACDF costs €500, resulting in a difference of €1,500 per implant. On average, 1.2 implants are used per procedure.

Hospital admission costs and procedural costs are similar for both procedures, which is estimated to be €11,000 in our center. As reported by ArboNed for the year 2019, the average absenteeism for cervical disc pathology was 242 days, with a standard deviation of 225 [personal communication]⁸¹. The average cost for one day of absenteeism varies between €200–€400, depending on salary and company; for example, one day of absence from work is usually calculated to cost around €250 in the Netherlands [personal communication]⁸¹.

In the Netherlands, the willingness to pay (WTP) threshold for spinal pathologies – classified as a moderate disease – is set at €50,000/QALY^65,66. However, in the sample size calculation we will not fix WTP at one value. The sample size calculation is based on both QALYs and costs, using Net Monetary Benefit (NMB) as outcome. The NMB for a treatment is defined as⁸²:

$$NMB=WTP x Effect-Costs$$

The smallest relevant effect in terms of NMB will be quantified in terms of Cohen’s d, which is defined as:

$$d=\frac{average NMB \left(ACDF\right)- average NMB \left(\text{A}\text{C}\text{D}\text{A}\right)}{Standard deviation of NMB}$$

The standard classification of Cohen’s d consists of a small effect (d=0.2), a medium-sized effect (d=0.5) and a large effect (d=0.8)⁸³.

A two-sided test will be used with a 5% level of significance (α = 0.05). A Cohen’s d of 0.4 which is often referred to as the hinge point, meaning a greater than average effect⁸³. We expect a bit less than a medium sized effect, for which we choose a Cohen’s d in between 0.5 and 0.4, resulting in a Cohen’s d of 0.45. Inclusion of 79 patients per treatment group will then yield a power of 0.80. Taking into account a 20% loss-to follow-up in 4 years, the required sample size is 99 per group, with a total of 198 patients.

Statistical Analysis

All statistical procedures will be conducted based on both the intention-to-treat principle and on actual participation in treatment (i.e., effectiveness analyses), and will be performed using SPSS statistics 27.0 (SPSS, IBM, Corporation, Chicago, USA). A two-sided significance level of 0.05 will be used as a threshold to determine whether differences are statistically significant. Dichotomous outcome measures (e.g., reoperation rates, presence of fusion), and ordinal outcome measures (Odom’s outcome scale) will be analyzed using a χ2 analysis or Fisher's exact test. Continuous outcome measures (e.g., NDI, VAS, SF36) will be analyzed using an independent samples t-Test after testing for normality. If normality is not met, a Mann-Whitney U test will be used. Multi-level analyses will be performed with measurements within the subjects’ factor and group, and between subjects’ factors to account for the nested structure of the data. Post-hoc analyses will be performed if significant effects are identified.

Costs will be calculated by multiplying volumes (resource use) with unit costs. For the unit costs, we will use the Dutch costing guidelines. Productivity costs will be calculated by means of the friction cost method, based on a mean added value of the Dutch working population. Cost prices (2021) will be expressed in euros. If necessary, existing cost prices will be updated using the consumer price index.

Patient and public involvement

No patient involved.

There is currently no consensus on which anterior surgical technique is most cost-effective for treating CDDD. The role of ACDA in the prevention of ASP remains a controversial topic, which is a consequence of the ambiguous accelerating factors of ASP. Current literature reports inconsistent incidence rates and controversial risk factors. The extent to which kinematics, surgery-induced fusion and natural history of disease play a role in the development of ASP remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to provide high-quality evidence concerning the cost-effectiveness of ACDA in comparison to ACDF, as well as to evaluate the proposed accelerating factors of ASP. This is of dual importance; on one hand, it will provide optimal patient care, and on the other hand it will limit the exponentially increasing healthcare costs.

Based on the available literature, a difference in clinical effectiveness between the two treatments in the short term (one to two years after surgery) is not expected^{35,84,85,86,87,88}, as the risk profiles for ACDF and ACDA surgeries are comparable⁶¹. Aside from the high implant costs, ACDA is sometimes discouraged because of the concern that it leads to less favorable outcomes in myelopathy^61,89,90. However, current literature provides no evidence supporting this concern, and even reports better neurological outcomes after ACDA^61,89−91. Moreover, revision rates at the index level appear to be similar for ACDA and ACDF. As such, in our opinion, ACDA poses no additional risk for patients⁹².

A concern that may arise regarding this study protocol is the use of ACDF with stand-alone cages instead of plate-constructs, which is the preferred choice in some parts of the world. The main concern of ACDF with stand-alone cages is the occurrence of subsidence; we have demonstrated this to be very low (0.15%) in our own population. Moreover, it has been proven that the different fusion techniques are equally safe. In fact, current literature challenges the use of plate-constructs⁹³. As described in the introduction and outlined in Table 1, most studies show lower rates of adjacent segment surgery in the ACDA groups. Hence, the goal for which the cervical disc prosthesis was designed appears to be (partly) reached. However, not all aspects have been sufficiently investigated. Only few studies have investigated the cost-effectiveness between techniques, although not in such an extensive, prospective, randomized controlled trial^41,94.

External validity and generalizability are the main constraint of this study, as costs and preferred surgical technique are country-specific. For example, the costs of absenteeism are dependent on country, different salaries, and duration. The costs of surgery and hospital admission can also differ between countries, as can insurance reimbursement for ACDA. ACDA is not reimbursed in the Netherlands, while in other countries it is, and is offered as standard care. Nevertheless, we expect that the proportion of costs and effectiveness can be extrapolated to other countries, even though exact costs cannot. Importantly, the methodology of this study is reproducible, and may encourage researchers around the world to also investigate cost-effectiveness in other settings. The inclusion of patients with single- and multi-level pathology and radiculopathy and/or myelopathy will provide an adequate representation of the daily practice, which ameliorates generalizability. Another limitation of this study is that the sample size is based on estimated costs and incidences of CASP, which may differ from reality. There are no previous prospective trials on cost-effectiveness for ACDA versus ACDF, which does not allow for comparison.

If our hypothesis is not confirmed and this study shows that ACDF is more cost-effective than ACDA, there will be no change in the current standard treatment for CDDD. This study will remain valuable, as it will provide new insights into the existing debate concerning anterior decompression techniques in the treatment of CDDD.

If our hypothesis is proven correct and the chance of developing CASP is lower in ACDA than ACDF, ACDA has potential to lower direct and indirect healthcare costs. The gap in incidence of additional CASP-related surgery between ACDF and ACDA expands considerably with time [Table 1]. We therefore expect that if a difference in costs within four years is detected, this difference will increase over time.

The Dutch National Society of Neurosurgeons supports the intentions of the study. The first step is to revise the national guidelines if the proposed study shows greater cost-effectiveness of ACDA compared to ACDF with equal clinical effectiveness. The ACDA procedure can then be implemented, leading to standard reimbursement. The process evaluation in this study will offer valuable insight into the optimal process surrounding ACDA.

Awaiting start of patient recruitment, expected 01.01.2022. Anticipated end of patient recruitment 01.06.2028.

ACD = Anterior Cervical Discectomy

ACDA = Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Arthroplasty

ACDF = Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

ASP = Adjacent Segment Pathology

AE = Adverse Events

AR = Adverse Reaction

AVG = Algemene Verordening Gegevensbescherming

CACES = Cervical Arthroplasty Cost Effectiveness Study

CareQoL = General Data Protection Regulation

CASP = Clinical Adjacent Segment Pathology

CDDD = Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

CEA = Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

CUA = Cost-Utility Analysis

DCM = Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

GCP = Good Clinical Practice

GDPR = General Data Protection Regulation (in Dutch: Algemene Verorderning Gegevensbescherming (AVG))

HADS = Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

IC = Informed Consent

ICG = Informal Care Giver

ICER = Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio

iMCQ = Medical Consumption Questionnaire

IMP = Investigational Medicinal Product

IMPD = Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier

iPCQ = Productivity Cost Questionnaire

iVICQ = Limited Valuation Of Informal Care Questionnaire

METC = Medical research ethics committee (MREC); in Dutch: medisch-ethische toetsingscommissie (METC)

NDI = Neck Disability Index

NMB = Net Monetary Benefit

NSAID = Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug

PROMs = Patient Reported Outcome Measures

QALY = Quality-adjusted life year

RASP = Radiological Adjacent Segment Pathology

SAE = Serious adverse event

SRB = Self-Related Burden Scale

VAS = Visual Analogue Scale

WTP = Willingness To Pay

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This research is conducted according to principles enshrined in the Declaration of Helsinki (3^th edition 2013) and in accordance with the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO). This study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethical Comittee of the Zuyderland Medisch Centrum, Heerlen (document nr: METCZ20200025, NL72534.096.20).

Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients included in the study.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Availability of data and materials.

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Contributorship statement

VS: design of the work, acquisition

AS: conception, design of the work

TB: conception, substantial revision

MC: analysis

IC: substantial revision, interpretation of data

SE: analysis, interpretation of data

HvS: conception, substantial revision

Competing interests.

The authors do not have personal or financial competing interests.

Funding Statement

The medical equipment in this study is partly funded by B. Braun Aesculap, they have no influence on any aspect of conception/writing of the protocol, selection of subjects, data acquisition or data analysis, or any step in the writing or publication process of articles concerning this study.

Datasharing statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

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RESEARCH PROTOCOL: Cervical Arthroplasty Cost Effectiveness Study (CACES) Economic Evaluation of Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Arthroplasty Versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion in the Surgical Treatment of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease, a Randomized Controlled Trial.

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