EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SPINE ARTHRODESIS PERFORMED IN THE BRAZILIAN UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM FROM 2015 TO 2024

Abstract

This study presents an epidemiological analysis of spinal arthrodesis procedures performed by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) between 2015 and 2024, totaling 98,798 surgeries. The Southeast and South regions accounted for the majority of these surgeries, comprising 72.1% of the total, with São Paulo and Paraná standing out. The temporal analysis of the data shows a gradual reduction in the number of surgeries until 2019, followed by a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, with recovery starting in 2022. The most common procedure was thoracolumbosacral arthrodesis (52.7%), followed by anterior cervical arthrodesis, which accounted for 22,183 surgeries. There was a predominance of urgent cases (58.4%), especially in cervical and cervicothoracic posterior arthrodesis. The distribution of surgical techniques varied according to the anatomical region: the anterior approach was preferred for cervical stabilization, mainly involving one or two levels, while thoracolumbosacral surgeries were primarily performed via the posterior approach, often involving multiple vertebral levels. These findings highlight the importance of public health policies that promote more equitable access to high-complexity procedures within the SUS.