Methods for cost-effectiveness evaluation alongside trials in spine surgery

Back disorders represent a substantial economic and social burden to society. New technologies are steadily evolving and for some of these clinical outcome and costeffectiveness remain uncertain. Research based on clinical evidence and taking into account the economic constrains will help create a basis for decision making on a strategic, political level. This working paper enables clinical researchers to perform costeffectiveness analysis, on a suitable methodological basis, alongside clinical trials in the field of spine surgery. Aiming at guiding researchers in their choice of methods, the paper describes how to collect costs and effects while performing a controlled clinical trial and how to combine the data into a costeffectiveness evaluation. The paper concludes with some recommendations for the reporting of economic evaluations, thereby contributing to uniformity in reporting standards if these are followed.