Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for April 2, 2015.
Zimmer gets European Commission's OK for Biomet acquisition after knee business sale
The EC granted clearance if Zimmer divests certain assets — a knee implant business in the European Economic Area, according to the Wall Street Journal — comprising the remedy package the company previously submitted to the EC. Biomet would also need to sell an elbow-implant unit and knee implant business. Zimmer still plans to acquire Biomet for around $13.35 billion in cash and stock transaction.
NuVasive CEO resigns after compliance investigation
NuVasive CEO Alex Lukianov resigned from his post with the company and as a member of the company's board after an investigation found non-compliance with the company's expense reimbursement and personnel policies. Greg Lucier was appointed chairman of the board and interim CEO.
North American orthobiologics market to reach $2.5B by 2019
The market was valued at $1.7 billion in 2014, and is estimated to grow to a value of around $2.5 billion by 2019. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7 percent from 2014 to 2019.
Implanet's 2014 revenue up 28%
In 2014, Implanet reported strong revenue growth, increasing 28 percent, led by spine activity. The company underwent a rapid restructuring of the United States subsidy and was able to meet sales targets last year.
Symmetry Medical to close Indiana orthopedic implant facility
Symmetry Medical will close their plant in Avilla, Ind., by year's end, which employs 129 people.
Florida Panthers' Nick Bjugstad undergoes spine surgery at Mayo
The lower back surgery at the Mayo Sports Clinic in Minneapolis was successful, and Mr. Bjugstad is expected to make a full recovery.
Which corpectomy technique for spine surgery is best?
A new study published in Spine examined the cost and effectiveness of three corpectomy techniques for destructive thoracolumbar spine disease. The study found that all three techniques — mini-open transpedicular corpectomy, conventional open transpedicular corpectomy and combined posterior-anterior approach — had comparable visual analogue scale scores for thoracolumbar pain and SF-12 physical and mental scores.
House bill provision protects physicians in malpractice cases
The legislation includes a provision that protects physicians by stipulating that providers, patients and lawyers are barred from using federal standards and scores, generated by the government to measure the quality of care that physicians provide, to prove negligence in malpractice cases.