Prolonged conservative care versus early surgery in patients with sciatica from lumbar disc herniation: cost utility analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial

To determine whether the faster recovery after early surgery for sciatica compared with prolonged conservative care is attained at reasonable costs.Cost utility analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial.Nine Dutch hospitals.283 patients with sciatica for 6-12 weeks, caused by lumbar disc herniation.Six months of prolonged conservative care compared with early surgery.Quality adjusted life years (QALYs) at one year and societal costs,...