Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Sept. 8, 2016.
Surgical coalition urges CMS to reconsider proposed reporting requirements
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons recently submitted a 23-page report to CMS, urging the federal agency to reconsider its proposed global surgery reporting requirements. CMS has issued a proposal that requires all surgeons document the type, level and number of preoperative and postoperative patient visits. Those opposed point to the burdens surgical practices anticipate facing if CMS implemented these reporting requirements.
Dr. Michael Vitale to use NuVasive's MAGEC system during live surgery event
The Spine Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian, in partnership with BroadWater's Total Spine Series 2016, will host a live surgery event featuring NuVasive's MAGEC system on Sept. 12. Michael G. Vitale, MD, director of pediatric orthopedics at New York City-based Columbia Orthopedics, will perform surgery on a seven-year-old patient with early onset scoliosis.
Alphatec closes $80M sale of international operations to Globus
Alphatec completed the sale of its international operations and distribution channel to Globus Medical. Alphatec is now solely focused on the U.S. market, which the company believes constitutes around 65 percent of the global spinal fusion market. Globus acquired Alphatec's international operations and distribution channel for $80 million in cash.
Orthopedics comes out on top in young physician compensation report
Young orthopedists earn nearly $329,000 annually, placing the specialty at the top of the list, according to "Medscape Young Physicians Compensation Report 2016." Following orthopedists, young dermatologists made $312,000, followed by anesthesiologists ($309,000).
St. Teresa Medical names Texas Back Institute's Dr. Richard Guyer to scientific advisory board
Richard Guyer, MD, joined St. Paul, Minn.-based St. Teresa Medical's scientific advisory board. A board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. Guyer will offer his guidance as St. Teresa Medical begins its global clinical trial on SURGICLOT, a dissolvable hemostatic dressing for orthopedic surgery. Dr. Guyer is a founder of Texas Back Institute in Plano, where he currently is the president.
Medtronic, Stryker and Smith & Nephew dominate MIS instruments market
The minimally invasive surgical instruments market is anticipated to hit $18.14 billion by 2021, according to a MarketsandMarkets report. Medtronic, Ethicon, Aesculap, Stryker and Smith & Nephew dominate the MIS instruments market. ConMed, Abbott Laboratories, Applied Biomedical Resources, Microline Surgical and Zimmer Biomet are also active in the space.
How steep is the MIS lumbar decompression learning curve?
Researchers studied surgeons' learning curve for minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy or laminotomy with or without discectomy, according to a study published in The Spine Journal. The researchers found continued surgeon experience correlated with decreased operative time, shorter hospital stays and similar blood loss after MIS LD. Patients experienced similar clinical outcome improvements, independent of surgical experience, however.
Spine Health Foundation awards 2016 Hope Award to Dr. Ken Smith
Johnson City, Tenn.-based nonprofit Spine Health Foundation awarded Ken Smith, MD, the 2016 Hope Award. The award recognizes physicians who support the Spine Health Foundation's mission to help disadvantaged individuals in need gain access to spinal care. Neurosurgeon Dr. Smith specializes in frameless stereotactic surgery, cerebrovascular disease and treatment of chronic pain disorders.