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Introduction: This study evaluated temporal trends, utilization patterns, and the economic burden of inpatient spine surgery in Nevada, and identified demographic and hospital factors associated with high-charge hospitalizations. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Nevada Hospital Inpatient Billing (NHIB) database was performed for inpatient spine surgery cases from 2010–2024. Utilization trends were assessed across the study period. High-charge hospitalizations were defined as total charges at or above the 75th percentile. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of high-charge episodes. Results: A total of 41,925 inpatient spine surgery cases were identified. Most patients were female (54.5%), White (76.7%), and aged >65 years (32.9%). Lumbar fusion was the most common procedure (59.2%), followed by cervical fusion (35.9%). From 2010–2024, lumbar discectomy experienced the greatest increase in utilization (+294%), followed by cervical fusion (+135%) and lumbar fusion (+129%). The median total hospital charge was $126,071, with lumbar fusion incurring the highest median charge ($166,163). Independent predictors of high-charge hospitalizations included Black race (OR 2.37, 95% CI 2.15–2.60), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.87–2.22), residence in Clark County (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.90–2.27), length of stay >7 days (OR 13.9), and lumbar fusion (OR 7.71). Conclusion: Inpatient spine surgery volume in Nevada has increased substantially since 2010. Significant racial and geographic disparities in hospital charges persist, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions to improve equity in surgical care delivery.

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

Publication Date

Spring 4-17-2026

Publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Keywords

Spine surgery; Healthcare disparities; Cervical fusion; Lumbar fusion; Cost analyses

Disciplines

Economics | Medicine and Health Sciences | Surgery

File Format

PDF

File Size

427 KB

Comments

Mentor: Sukanta Maitra

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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