Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for May 5, 2016.
ISASS appoints Dr. Domagoj Coric to board
The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery named Domagoj Coric, MD, to its board of directors. Dr. Coric currently practices at Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates and serves as the chief of neurosurgery at Carolinas Medical Center and spine director at the Carolinas Healthcare System Neuroscience Institute, all based in Charlotte.
ProDisc-C proves more effective and less costly than ACDF
A new Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine study examines the seven-year health economic value of cervical total disc replacement using the ProDisc-C compared with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The cervical total disc replacement patients recorded on average $12,789 savings. The spinal fusion patients reported higher cost — $20,856 — compared with the disc replacement patients — $5,362 on average. The researchers concluded disc replacement was less costly for single-level symptomatic degenerative disc disease patients.
Health plan's low back pain programs add $3.6k to spinal fusion cases
Insurance companies in some states implemented a prior authorization program for low back pain patients before receiving surgical care. The new program introduced a physiatrist PA and for surgical patients a surgical PA, which increased treatment days and costs for patients who eventually underwent spinal fusion.
Stryker to launch Tritanium Posterior Lumbar Cage: 4 takeaways
The Tritanium Posterior Lumbar Cage is a 3D-printed intervertebral body fusion device. The cage is intended to aid in lumbar spinal fixation for patients with degenerative disc disease, and is available in a variety of widths, lengths, heights and lordotic angles.
Obesity slightly impacts lumbar fusion outcomes
Researchers analyzed obesity's impact on lumbar spinal fusion patients, according to a Spine study. The normal weight patients experienced more improvement in back and leg pain compared to the overweight and obese groups. About 14 percent of normal weight patients experienced severe disability; 17 percent of overweight patients experienced severe disability; and about 24 percent of obese patients experienced severe disability.
AMA introduces new STEPS Forward education modules, MACRA resources
The American Medical Association introduced eight new modules as part of its STEPS Forward collection of physician-developed interactive educational modules. The modules offer guidance on topics that include practicing value-based care, medical assistant professional development, care transition teams, patient registration, quality improvement and point-of-care registries.
Wenzel Spine's VariLift-LX on full US commercial launch
VariLift-LX is the next generation of Wenzel Spine's product line of expandable stand-alone interbody fusion devices. The technology is available in two lengths and five heights to optimize fit in the disc space. The technology has streamlined instrumentation for minimally invasive lumbar fusions.
Orthopedic surgeons leave Salina Regional over on-call payment dispute
Salina (Kan.) Regional Health Center terminated privileges for the surgeons of Orthopaedic Sports Clinic of Salina after refusing to pay on-call fees the group demanded, according to a KSAL report.