Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for June 19, 2014.
AANS/CNS names five tests and procedures for 'Choosing Wisely' campaign
The campaign is an initiative of the ABIM Foundation to encourage and engage physicians in managing healthcare resources more efficiently by promoting conversations about appropriate care. The list of recommendations for neurosurgical procedures includes advice against administering steroids after severe traumatic brain injury.
O-arm imaging system useful in pedicle screw placement
The O-arm imaging prompted intraoperative repositioning in 2.8 percent of the pedicle screws. It identified the unacceptably placed screws so the surgeon could perform the revision without needing a reoperation. The O-arm is a new generation intraoperative imaging system that can provide three-dimensional images.
Dr. Luis Manuel Tumialan performs spine surgery on critically injured Olympian
In early June, six-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen was involved in an ATV accident that broke her spine and severed her spinal cord. Dr. Tumialan is an Arizona neurosurgeon with privileges at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Healthcare-Osborn Medical Center.
U.S. spinal fusion market share to drop 8 percent by 2020
While the United States will continue to occupy the majority of the spinal fusion market through 2020, the country's global market share will decline from 71 percent last year to 63 percent in 2020. China, on the other hand, is expected to have double-digit growth rates through 2020.
Cigna reports 15 percent of spinal fusion customers undergo second surgery
In 2011, Cigna examined spinal fusion patients and found 87 percent of customers who had fusions were still experiencing pain and undergoing additional therapies or drugs two years later. The total cost of post-surgery claims was $11 million. Cigna tightened coverage after seeing the results of the report.
Minimal access spinal surgery has better outcomes for infectious spondylitis
The study found that the overall complication rate in the minimal access spinal surgery group was 17 percent versus 59 percent in the traditional anterior spinal surgery group. No major complications occurred in the minimal access spinal surgery group, whereas four occurred in the traditional surgery group.
NuVasive executive vice president sells 9,526 shares
The shares were sold at an average price of $35.00. Mr. Powers received $333,410 for the entire transaction. On Monday, the company released its next generation monitoring platform with computer-assisted surgery applications to enhance speed and efficiency — the NVM5 V2.0.
Most patients are confused by their medical bills, survey finds
A recent survey by TransUnion Healthcare has found the majority — 54 percent — of insured consumers are either sometimes or always confused by their medical bills. It also found that 63 percent of survey respondents wanted to know the full cost of care, including their insurance company's portion.
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