Organisation: UNB

Created at: 31.03.2026 21:37:59

Question

S12-03 Radical surgical treatment of spinal tumors - S1-Co: minimum number per hospital is 3; S12-21 Surgical treatment of degenerative spinal disorders—C0–C7: minimum number is 100; S12-20 Surgical treatment of spinal injuries with instability—S1–Co: minimum number is 3; S12-22 Surgical treatment of degenerative spinal disorders—T1–S1: minimum number is 100. Degenerative conditions of the cervical spine are not as common as those in the lumbar region—we recommend lowering the limit to 50. For extremely rare tumors of the sacral spine, as well as surgical treatment of sacral injuries—we recommend removing the limit so that a facility may be able to provide this service—otherwise, only foreign facilities remain as options.

Answer

A review of the minimum procedure volumes for the spinal surgery program will be evaluated as part of next year’s review. The algorithm for classifying spinal surgery procedures was modified last year, and this is the first year of reporting procedures according to this modification. Therefore, there is currently insufficient and relevant data available to objectively evaluate compliance with the established minimum volume requirements and to justify their reduction or elimination. Any adjustment to the volume requirements will therefore be made after the data from the current reporting period has been evaluated.