Zachary Tempel, MD, and Michael Kachmann, MD, neurosurgeons at Cincinnati-based Mayfield Brain & Spine Clinic said their proudest achievements in the first half of 2021 included milestone surgeries and research.
They told Becker's Spine Review about their favorite accomplishments and what they have planned for the second half of 2021.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for style.
What’s an achievement you’re proud of from the first half of the year?
Dr. Zachary Tempel: As of this month, we have successfully implanted more than 100 Bedrock devices for open SI joint fusion as an adjunct to distal pelvic fixation in patients undergoing long-segment reconstruction. This technology has been a game changer, dramatically reducing the incidence of post-operative SI joint dysfunction and adding biomechanical strength to the distal construct. We are just scratching the surface as far as the utility of this technology.
Dr. Michael Kachmann: I’m proud of performing my first prone lateral fusion. In trying to innovate a single position solution, prone lateral makes sense. The learning curve has been easy, and putting screws in from the prone position is much more satisfying than in the lateral.
What’s one goal you have for the second half of 2021?
ZT: We have completed a formal case study with 12-month outcomes in deformity patients treated with a novel custom rod construct employing multiple materials and diameters of decreasing stiffness toward the rostral end of the construct. We now have 45 patients with no incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis in that population. We hope to complete a more in-depth study, including two-year radiographic and clinic outcomes, to build off of this, and incorporate additional materials, such as tethers or PEEK rods, into the construct for PJK prevention.
MK: I look forward to working to broaden my outpatient spine experience. We are doing more anterior lumbar interbody fusion and two-level lumbar fusions as an outpatient procedure, with great success. The patient satisfaction is amazing. My experience as a surgeon is much better as well. The efficiency of the outpatient surgery center is superior to the hospital experience.