# Surgical variation and healthcare disparity research > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/surgical-variation-and-healthcare-disparity-research > Updated: 2026-09-29T07:25:05.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. Medical research has identified significant variations in surgical treatment decisions and healthcare utilization. In South Africa, a survey of 79 spine surgeons revealed moderate to high variability in managing spinal pathologies, such as insufficiency fractures and cervical spine distractive flexion injuries. Factors influencing these decisions included surgeon experience, training, caseload, and external funding. Notably, 19% of the surveyed surgeons selected treatment options that were not supported by a panel of specialists. Researchers suggest that standardizing management through increased investment in training and fellowship programs may be necessary to support value-based care. Additionally, research in the United States focused on how social determinants affect pediatric patients. A study at a level one trauma center found that patients facing higher social deprivation, measured by the Area Deprivation Index, experienced higher rates of emergency department visits within 90 days following surgery for supracondylar humerus fracture pinning. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-29: South African spine surgeons show high treatment variation A survey of South African spine surgeons reveals significant variation in treatment decisions for spinal pathologies, driven by factors like experience, training, and caseload. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-african-spine-surgeons-show-high-treatment-variation ### 2026-09-25: Medical studies highlight surgical variation and healthcare disparities Medical studies report significant variability in South African spinal surgery treatments and show that social deprivation increases emergency department visits for pediatric fracture patients in the US. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medical-studies-highlight-surgical-variation-and-healthcare-disparities --- Cite as: Surgical variation and healthcare disparity research. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/surgical-variation-and-healthcare-disparity-research