Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Aug. 25, 2016.
CMS may remove 4 spine surgeries from inpatient-only list
CMS proposed moving six procedures off the inpatient-only list for 2017, including four spine surgeries. The spine surgeries include:
- Posterior non-segmental instrumentation: CPT 22840
- Posterior segmental instrumentation: CPT 22842
- Anterior instrumentation; two to three vertebral segments: CPT 22845
- Total disc arthroplasty anterior approach including discectomy with end plate preparation: CPT 22858
The Sisters of Charity seek $50M from Palmetto Health hospital system over 'stolen' orthopedic practice
Sisters of Charity, the former owners of Providence Hospital, is seeking $50 million in damages from the Palmetto Health hospital system for allegedly illegally "stealing" the Moore Orthopedic Clinic. The lawsuit alleges that Palmetto Health has "monopoly power," in the Columbia area, and that conspiring to take the orthopedic surgery business from Providence would effectively "weaken" Providence's ability to compete with Palmetto.
5th patient achieves conversion in InVivo's INSPIRE study
A patient implanted with Cambridge, Mass.-based InVivo Therapeutics' Neuro-Spinal Scaffold in the INSPIRE study has improved from a complete AIS A spinal cord injury to an incomplete AIS B spinal cord injury. This patient represents the fifth out of eight patients to experience an AIS grade improvement, representing a 62.5 percent conversion rate. If the current five converted patients don't revert to AIS A before the six-month follow-up, then InVivo will have met the Objective Performance Criterion.
SeaSpine to acquire NLT, boosting MIS product offering
SeaSpine, a Carlsbad, Calif.-based medical technology company offering spinal disorder solutions, signed a definitive agreement to acquire NLT Spine, an Israel-based medical device company creating minimally invasive spine surgery products. NLT's product portfolio includes vertical, lordotic and footprint expanding interbody technologies for lumbar fusion procedures treating degenerative spinal conditions. SeaSpine will acquire substantially all NLT assets.
Global spinal implants, devices market to hit $19.5B by 2024
The global spinal implants and devices market is anticipated to hit $19.54 billion by 2024, according to a Grand View Research report. The spinal biologics segment is expected to see great growth at a compound annual growth rate of 7 percent between 2015 and 2024, due to the increasing adoption of MIS procedures.
Cedars-Sinai resident Dr. Lindsey Ross named a White House Fellow
Lindsey Ross, MD, a Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai resident neurosurgeon, has earned a position as a 2016 to 2017 White House Fellow. Dr. Ross will work at the HHS, contributing to roundtable discussions with government leaders, including President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. During her Cedars-Sinai neurosurgical residency, Dr. Ross trained in trauma surgery, neurocritical care and neurology subspecialties.
How does sagittal balance impact spinal decompression outcomes?
A new study published in The Spine Journal examines sagittal imbalance among patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and how that affects outcomes after simple decompression surgery. There was sagittal imbalance in 54 percent of the 83 patients. The patients who didn't experience sagittal vertebral axis normalization had low thoracic kyphosis and spondylolisthesis before surgery. The researchers concluded the imbalance was correctable in 70 percent of the patients with sagittal imbalance.
Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher to lead The Sports Neurology Clinic at The CORE Institute
Sports neurologist Jeffrey Kutcher, MD, is leading The CORE Institute's recently opened The Sports Neurology Clinic in Brighton, Mich. The clinic's physicians specialize in treating concussions and other neurological conditions.