Surgical treatment of migraines reduces sick days and increases employee productivity ASPS study

Main Category: Headache / Migraine
Article Date: 31 Dec 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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With more than 28 million Americans suffering from debilitating migraine headaches each year, employers also suffer through missed days from work and reduced productivity. However, Migraine sufferers who had surgical treatment reduced the amount of time missed from work by 73 percent, according to a study published in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (PRS), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Additionally, surgical treatment substantially lowered the annual cost of migraine care for patients, the study found.

"The economic impact of migraine headaches on American businesses is staggering due to the loss of employee time and productivity each year," said ASPS member and study author Bahman Guyuron, MD, clinical professor of plastic surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland. "By identifying the trigger areas for migraines and performing targeted surgical procedures, we significantly reduced or eliminated their migraines and the amount of time missed from work."

Patients in the study were injected with Botox® to help determine which muscles in the forehead, or back of the head, triggered their migraines. Once identified, these muscles were then surgically removed.

Prior to surgery, migraine sufferers missed 4.4 days of work per month, according to the study. After surgery, patients only missed 1.2 days per month and the employee out of pocket expense for annual treatment was reduced from approximately $7,612 to $925.

Plastic surgeons successfully reduced the frequency, intensity or duration of migraines for 92 percent of the patients studied. In fact, the surgical treatment eliminated migraine headaches for 35 percent of the patients studied.

"Before surgery, my patients expressed extreme frustration by not being able to gain control of their lives," said Dr. Guyuron. "They wanted to work or spend time with their family. Through our new surgical discoveries, we are able to help the appropriate patients escape the awful effects of migraines and start living their lives again."

Businesses lose approximately $13 billion per year due to migraines, according to a study published in the April 1999 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. In addition, the National Headache Foundation estimates 157 million workdays are lost annually because of the pain and associated symptoms of migraines.

For referrals to plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call the ASPS at 888-4-PLASTIC (888-475-2784) or visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With nearly 5,000 members, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Contact: Brian Hugins
847-228-9900
American Society of Plastic Surgeons