Jason Lowenstein, MD, performed New Jersey's first scoliosis surgery with a new FDA-approved, minimally invasive system.
Dr. Lowenstein, of Morristown Medical Center, used Zimmer Biomet's vertebral body tethering system, according to a Sept. 7 news release. The tether is reportedly the only device available to treat scoliosis patients who are actively growing.
"Patients who have had the tether procedure are doing great," Dr. Lowenstein said. "It allows for a faster recovery than spinal fusion, because patients aren’t waiting for the fusion to heal. And because it is a minimally invasive surgery, there is less soft tissue dissection, again allowing for less time to heal."
His team is also the only one in the U.S. to perform a VBT procedure with Stryker's Airo TruCT mobile imaging system. During surgery, it provides a CT scan of the patient to guide screw placement.