Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Oct. 16, 2014.
J&J orthopedics 3Q sales up 2.7% to $2.3B
Johnson & Johnson's worldwide medical device and diagnostic sales hit $6.6 billion in the third quarter of 2014, a 5.2 percent decrease over the same period last year. Orthopedics sales in the United States reached $1.2 billion, a 3.2 percent increase over the third quarter of 2013. International sales also increased 2 percent to $1.07 billion.
Amedica, Spinal Kinetics partner
Amedica entered into a private labeling agreement with Spinal Kinetics. Under the agreement, Amedica will provide Spinal Kinetics with sterile packed silicon nitride spinal interbody fusion devices for sale in worldwide markets. The terms of the agreement are non-exclusive.
Learning curve for MIS TLIF: How are the first cases impacted?
For the study, published in Spine, researchers examined the first 90 single-level MIS TLIF, using a consistent technique and spinal, instrumentation, performed by a single surgeon. The surgeon's learning curve for MIS TLIF was achieved on the 44th case. Demographics were similar for the first 44 patients as the latter 46 patients.
Is vancomycin cost-effective for spine surgery?
The researchers examined 215 adults who underwent deformity reconstruction performed by two surgeons between 2008 and 2012. There were 115 patients who underwent spinal surgery with vancomycin powder and 64 who underwent surgery without vancomycin powder. There were significantly fewer 90-day hospital readmissions for surgical site infection patients who received vancomycin powder.
UC San Diego releases 1st Neuralstem patient
The first patient was treated in the Phase I trial testing of NSI-566 human neural stem cells in the treatment of chronic spinal cord injury at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. The patient was discharged from the hospital.
Globus Medical launches spinal deformity system
The SILC Fixation System is a low profile sublaminar fixation system is designed to provide necessary stability during standard reduction maneuvers for spinal curvature correction without needing pedicle purchase in all vertebrae.
Where do ClinicalTrials.gov studies go in spine?
A study published in The Spine Journal examined where spine-related studies registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov end up and publication rate for completed trials. The researchers found that out of 263 spine-related studies, 72 are completed, and among the completed studies, 38.9 percent were published.
Second Dallas healthcare worker tests positive for Ebola
The patient was placed in isolation after reporting a fever, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has interviewed the patient to determine any contacts or potential exposures in the community. The CDC is conducting confirmation testing in its laboratory and plans to share results after patient notification.
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Is vancomycin cost-effective for spine surgery? — 5 things to know
Texas Sport & Spine helps organize blood drive
AOSpine Foundation, Thieme release 1st volume of the AOSpine Masters Series