OBJECTIVES: To assess the real-world impact of Surgicel on surgical outcomes and hospital costs associated with lumbar surgery (LS) in a Chinese tier III hospital.

METHODS: The patients receiving LS from January 2015 to December 2017 in a Chinese tier III hospital were identified to create the two study groups for the use of Surgicel before April 30, 2016 (Surgicel group) vs. no use of Surgicel (non-Surgicel group) after April 30, 2016. The created two groups were compared for surgical outcomes and hospital costs associated with LS. Propensity score methods were used for the adjusted comparisons.

RESULTS: Of the included 635 patients, 56 patients were included in the Surgicel group and 579 patients were included in the non-Surgicel group. The adjusted comparisons identified significantly lower perioperative blood transfusion rate (51.9% vs. 84.6%, p=0.001) and lower perioperative blood transfusion volume (272 ml vs. 489 ml, p=0.016) in the Surgicel group. The adjusted comparisons of the distribution of hospital costs observed that the Surgicel group was associated with significantly lower costs of other utilized health resources after the exclusion of medical supplies and medications (¥33,257 vs. ¥39,003, p=0.006, ¥1= US$0.15 as of January 16, 2019). The overall hospital costs associated with the Surgicel group was lower but not significant (¥160,052 vs. ¥169,886, p=0.253) in the adjusted comparison.

CONCLUSIONS: Using Surgicel as the hemostatic agent in LS could reduce perioperative blood transfusion and might potentially save overall hospital costs.