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. 2020 Mar;15(2):NP1-NP5.
doi: 10.1177/1558944718810855. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

The Direct and Indirect Costs to Society of Carpal Tunnel Release

Alexandra S Gabrielli  1 , Alex C Lesiak  1 , John R Fowler  1
Affiliations

The Direct and Indirect Costs to Society of Carpal Tunnel Release

Alexandra S Gabrielli et al. Hand (N Y). 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common compressive neuropathies and affects a large amount of individuals. We investigated the direct and indirect cost to society of operative versus nonoperative management of CTS. Methods: A Monte Carlo simulation model was used to estimate the lifetime direct and indirect costs associated with nonoperative and operative treatment of CTS, and its utility to patients. Results: Operative treatment of CTS had a lower total cost and a higher utility when compared with nonoperative treatment. Conclusions: CTS surgery is clearly a cost-effective treatment strategy that should be included in the societal perspective regarding evolving costs and savings associated with health care.

Keywords: Monte Carlo simulation; carpal tunnel release; carpal tunnel syndrome; cost-effective; health care; patient care; patient utility.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Monte Carlo decision-making tree.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Successful operative and nonoperative treatment cost.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Cost of unsuccessful complications.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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