Andre Jakoi, MD, is an orthopedic spine surgeon at North Kansas City (Mo.) Hospital. He focuses his practice on minimally invasive surgery as well as adult deformity, trauma and complex reconstruction.
Here, Dr. Jakoi discusses the key technology trends in spine today and where he'll grow his practice in the future.
Question: What technologies and surgical technique trends are you most excited about in spine today?
Dr. Andre Jakoi: Current trends and technologies that I'm most excited about would be the continued push for more minimally invasive surgery which we can see is spreading from not just degenerative cases but also [to] those of deformity and even malignancy and trauma. The push for more minimally invasive procedures is not novel but is certainly an ongoing/continued trend with outcomes that are well supported by the data and longer-term follow-up.
Q: What trends in spinal technology do you think will become the gold standard in the future, and which do you consider fads?
AJ: I think the concept of sagittal balance is not just a fad but will be the gold standard when discussing fusion and good long-term outcomes, which may decrease adjacent segment disease and morbidities that follow fusion after the recovery period ends.
Conversely, I think a new fad of robotic surgery is not quite there in terms of what it can provide for surgeons. It's early, and I think ultimately the technology will meet the demands and requests of what surgeons need from it, whether that is assistance with osteotomies or decompression,or implementing a surgical plan for deformity cases. Currently I think not as many surgeons are excited about the robot merely planning screw holes when technique, experience and fluoroscopy/navigation are all gold standards.
Q: Where do you see the best opportunity to grow your practice in the next two to three years?
AJ: Practices are always growing or evolving depending on patient demand. As patient education and the internet continue to provide patients with a foundation of knowledge, more and more patients seek particular treatment options. Being able to provide that for them, whether its deformity correction or minimally invasive procedures, my practice will flourish.
Learn more about the big trends in spine at the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago, June 13-15, 2019. Click here
To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Laura at ldyrda@beckershealthcare.com.