Here are seven things for spinal surgeons to know for May 21, 2015.
BMP market shows sluggish growth in some areas, spinal fusion has the largest share
According to a Research and Markets report, the rhBMP-2 segment had the largest share of the bone morphogenetic protein market in terms of revenue in 2013. Spinal fusions account for the largest share of the BMP market, followed by trauma, and the reconstructive segment is expected to grow at a low compound annual growth rate through 2022.
Dr. Scott Nelson's spine surgery in Nepal interrupted by aftershock
Scott Nelson, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Loma Linda University Medical Center, was recently providing medical care to the earthquake victims in Nepal when aftershocks rocked his operating room. Dr. Nelson was with a six-person team, including another orthopedic surgeon and orthopedic resident providing care at Scheer Memorial Hospital in Nepal, which is part of the Adventist Health International network.
First 3D-printed titanium fusion implant used in spine surgery
The first patient was treated with an anatomically-adapted three-dimensional printed titanium fusion implant.EIT Emerging Implant Technologies, the company that designed the implant, is dedicated to three-dimensional printed implant solutions. The additive manufacturing method mimics the trabecular bone structure and EIT cellular Titanium with micro- and macro-nanostructural features provide high stability and speeds up bone healing and fusion.
Non-medical patient transfers for spinal trauma
The Spine Journal published a study examining the non-medical factors for spine trauma patient transfer at Level III and Level IV trauma centers. There was an association between uninsured patients and the increased possibility of transfer, according to a multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Measuring spinal stenosis patient outcomes
A new study published in Spine examines the best practices for measuring patient outcomes for spinal stenosis. The area under the curve was similar for the COMI change score and SSM subscales. The researchers concluded that COMI was as responsive as SSM.
Is MRI useful after spinal trauma?
A new study published in the Journal of Spinal Disorder & Techniques examined the effectiveness of MRI in identifying issues for spinal trauma patients. In detecting injury to the anterior longitudinal ligament, the MRI had 100 percent sensitivity and specificity. There was moderate sensitivity — 80 percent — for patients with injury to the posterior longitudinal ligament. But those images were highly specific at 100 percent. Read the full report on Becker's Spine Review.
5 publications honor Dr. Michael Gleiber
Florida-based spine surgeon Michael Gleiber, MD, was featured in five regional publications from Gulfstream Media Group. He was also featured among Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors under the minimally invasive orthopedic surgeon category for the third year in a row.