Here are seven things for spinal surgeons to know for Sept. 11, 2014.
Physician-owned distributorships under attack
The United States filed two complaints under the False Claims Act related to physician-owned distributorships — against Aria Sabit, MD, a Michigan-based neurosurgeon; spinal implant company Reliance Medical Systems; two Reliance distributorships; and the companies' owners Brett Berry, John Hoffman and Adam Pike.
First U.S. fetoscopic spina bifida repair successful at Texas Children's Hospital
Obstetrician and gynecologist-in-chief at Texas Children's Hospital Michael Belfort, MD, and pediatric neurosurgeon William Whitehead, MD, developed the procedure. The surgery features in-utero, single layer, suture repair through two different four-millimeter incisions in the uterus.
Medtronic CEO gets $24.8 million reimbursement to cover tax inversion bill
Orthopedic device industry giant Medtronic recently acquired Ireland-based Covidien and announced plans to move headquarters overseas to a lower-tax jurisdiction. Congress imposed a tax on companies moving headquarters overseas in 2004 to dissuade these types of transactions, but a new regulatory filing shows Medtronic will reimburse top executives with stock options and awards for the 15 percent tax.
Virginia Mason offers total joint replacement warranty
Virginia Mason, a nonprofit regional healthcare system in Seattle, implemented a warranty program for total joint replacements. This is the first hospital in the state and one of the first in the nation to offer surgical warranties for total joint replacement.
Mazor Robotics' Renaissance system receives Chinese regulatory approval
The company's distribution partner in China coordinated seminars and hands-on laboratory experiences for surgeons to learn about the Renaissance system. Mazor has seven Renaissance systems installed throughout Asia.
Does 3D navigational feedback make a difference during spine residency training?
The Cervical Spine Research Society provided $12,000 for researchers to examine how a Magerl lateral mass screw trajectory from C3-7 simulation on cadavers using a navigated drill guide without feedback as to the actual trajectory within the bone made an impact on their outcomes. The researchers found that the difference between the FinalTest and Baseline1 in the control group was 2.4 degrees, suggesting regression.
Is C. difficile likely for lumbar spine patients?
The researchers found that there was 0.11 percent C. difficile infection rate among the patients. Lumbar fusion and revision lumbar fusion increased the odds of postoperative infection.
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