Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Aug. 21, 2014.
First spine surgery with 3D-printed disc performed
Surgeons in China performed the first spinal disc replacement implanting a three-dimensional printed vertebra. The 3D printing technology uses digital models of a patient's anatomy to construct a "printed" customized implant in almost any material.
Medtronic spine revenue continues downward spiral
Spine revenue declined 3 percent on a constant currency and reported basis. The company's Core Spine and BMP declines offset growth in the interventional spine markets. The Core Spine revenue hit $552 million, a 2 percent decline.
C2 fracture costs hit $1.5 billion in 2010, grew 4.7% in 10 years
According to the study, nonoperative patients accrued an average charge of $39,346 in hospitalization in 2000; the same patients reported an average charge of $63,222 in hospitalization in 2010. Hospitalization costs for surgically treated patients increased from 2000 to 2010 from $70,784 to $133,064.
Study examines in-hospital complications, sacral fractures for spine surgeries
The study found that sacral fractures increased from 0.67 per 100,000 persons in 2002 to 2.09 per 100,000 persons in 2011. Also, around 25 percent of the patient reported complications with surgery. The complication rate remained steady over time.
Orthopedic trauma fixation devices market to reach $5.7 billion by 2020
The market was $5.7 billion in 2013 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2 percent this year through 2020.
LDR COO sells 19k shares in $512k transaction
Mr. Burrows sold the shares at $26.59 per share. On Friday, the company traded up 4.24 percent, with the price hitting $27.07 per share and trading volume of 472,620 shares. Piper Jaffray analysts, raising their price from $38 to $40 per share, bestowed an "overweight" rating on the stock.
NIH awards spine instrument 1st place in undergraduate competition
The NIH's National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering gave first place in a competition for engineering undergraduate design competitions to a spinal project addressing postoperative neurological or vascular complications from incorrect screw placement. The project, AccuSpine, was developed by a team of seven students from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Could offering "copper" PPACA plans lead to billions in savings?
The new, theoretical copper plans would cover (or have an actuarial value of) 50 percent and change the minimum threshold for affordable coverage. If the copper plans were made available to consumers and small businesses starting in plan year 2016, the new tier would reduce the federal deficit by an estimated $300 million between fiscal years 2015 and 2024. That decrease would stem from a net $5.8 billion drop in the amount the federal government would pay out in premium subsidies.
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Dr. Michael Vitale completes NY's 1st scoliosis surgery with MAGEC
5 findings on in-hospital complications, sacral fractures