Arthroscopic subacromial decompression was assessed in Swedish Skåne Region

In Sweden, Skåne Region develops the knowledge base and prepares questions for decisions on the introduction of evidence-based health and medical care throughout Region Skåne. The medical evaluations are conducted in accordance with the principles for critical review of published scientific literature used by the National Board of Health and Social Evaluation.

In November 2019, the Skåne Region released an HTA report for arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) in subacromial pain syndrome that aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence for the procedure.

The following conclusions were provided by Skåne Region:

• Clinical evidence:
  • There is scientific evidence that ASD does not show any relevant clinical benefit over the non-orthopedic surgical treatment in adult patients with subacromial pain syndrome without other structural shoulder pathology (for example, acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, calcification or continuous rotator cuff rupture)
  • The degree of clinical evidence is limited due to lack of study quality
  • The current HTA report does not draw a certain conclusion about the serious adverse effects of ASD as it differs from the recently published systematic review articles
• Cost-effectiveness:
  • The cost of treating subacromial pain syndrome without surgery has been estimated at SEK 7,800 in comparison with the day surgery in Southern health care region has been estimated at 19,500-21,000 SEK
  • Fair cost comparison between the southern Swedish and international costs is hard due to the diversity of the healthcare systems

See full details in Swedish here.

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