7 Things for Spine Surgeons to Know for Thursday

Here are seven things for spine surgeons to know for Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Congress of Neurological Surgeons to host debate on decision against steroid use for spinal cord injuries.
In March, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons announced a recommendation against the use of steroids in the first 24 to 48 hours in the case of a spinal cord injury. During the CNS annual meeting in October, the society will host a Controversy Session, a debate on the issue of methylprednisolone as an initial response to spinal cord injuries.

First NuVasive Precept spine device implanted in Japan.
The first spine surgery featuring the San Diego-based NuVasive Precept posterior fixation system took place recently in Japan. NuVasive received regulatory approval for the minimally disruptive posterior fixation device in July.

Dr. Thomas Nienke joins Mid-America Orthopedics.
Mid-America Orthopedics in Wichita, Kan., will begin to offer spine surgery next summer after adding orthopedic spine surgeon Thomas Nienke, DO. Dr. Nienke will become the practice's eighth physician.

Doctors Hospital of Sarasota buys Renaissance spine system.
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (Fla.) purchased its first Renaissance system from Mazor Robotics. The physicians as Doctors Hospital of Sarasota focus on orthopedics, neurosurgery and spinal surgery. The Renaissance system is a surgical robotic guidance system for spinal surgeries.

Fewer reoperations with pedicle screws than hybrid for scoliosis.
A study published in the October issue of Spine evaluated whether adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with pedicle screws have fewer readmissions when compared with patients who receive hybrid constructs. The study examined 627 patients in a prospective multi-center database and found the reoperation rate among pedicle screw patients was 3.5 percent, compared with 12.6 percent in the hybrid group.

XLIF complications lower than traditional scoliosis procedures.
In a recent study published in the journal Spine, researchers set out to examine extreme lateral interbody fusion as a treatment for adult degenerative scoliosis. The study was conducted through evaluation of clinical and radiographical results of 107 patients undergoing the XLIF procedure and found 85 percent of patients were satisfied with the procedure and would choose it again. The complication rate for XLIF was found to be overall lower than that of traditional surgical approaches to degenerative scoliosis.

Top factors for positive spondylolisthesis spine surgery outcomes.
An article published in Spine examined which patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis had the best outcomes with surgery and non-operative treatment. Factors associated with positive treatment effect include female sex, absence of stomach problems, absence of antidepressants and anticipating a high likelihood of improvement with surgery.

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Outcomes for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Spine Surgery: 7 Impact Factors
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