Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Society: An Effort to Improve Patient Outcomes via the Adoption of Minimally Invasive (MIS) Spine and Cranial Procedures

Spine
Laura Dyrda -

mick useThe Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Society (MINS) will host its 5th annual conference July 24 to July 27, 2014, at the Surgical Learning Center at Beaumont Hospitals in Royal Oak and the Renaissance Center, downtown Detroit, Michigan. Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, Founder and President of the society, hopes the conference will spread minimally invasive techniques to improve patient outcomes. The conference is composed of two days of minimally invasive cadaveric training in a State-of-the-Art surgical training facility at Beaumont and two days of didactic lectures given by experts in the field at the Renaissance Center, Westin Hotel, downtown, Detroit.

"Essentially, we are trying to establish a society that promotes minimally invasive spine and cranial procedures," says Dr. Perez-Cruet, who is chief of minimally invasive spine surgery at Beaumont Hospitals. "We are inclusive for neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, ENT and plastic surgery as well as other healthcare professionals. Our goal is to improve patient care through training, research, study, presentations and discussion of minimally invasive procedures for the spine and cranial patients."

 

The conference is designed for participants to discuss innovative minimally invasive neurosurgical approaches and learn to use new technologies safely and effectively. Keynote addresses and small group conversations will discuss the latest in minimally invasive neurosurgery, ideal patient selection, outcomes analysis and operative nuances.

 

Another big theme that will be addressed at the meeting is cost of care. "I think we are finding many of our minimally invasive procedures reduce the cost of healthcare delivery," says Dr. Perez-Cruet. "We are seeing that some of these procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis and if we can reduce the need for additional surgery in our patients, we could lower the overall cost burden on the healthcare system."

 

CME credit courses at the meeting include XLIF, TLIF, SI joint pain management, percutaneous screw placement, robotic and endoscopic spine and cranial surgery. A big part of the meeting is the hands-on cadaveric training.

 

"We have a very nice, state-of-the-art cadaveric training facility at Beaumont where we have mock OR suites.  Surgeons can learn from the experts in the field about how to do a procedure in an environment that mimics the OR," says Dr. Perez-Cruet. "There are C-arms, image guidance, robotic and micro-endoscopic technology." “These simulation station operative suites are equipped with the latest in minimally invasive technology and represent an ideal surgical training platform.”

 

As more surgeons become educated in advanced techniques, Dr. Perez-Cruet sees them becoming more prevalent in the future. Patient demand will also drive surgeons to learn less invasive techniques.

 

"Our patients are aware of the benefits of minimally invasive spine and cranial surgery and if they can have a procedure performed in a less disruptive manner, they will recover faster and have less pain," he says. "We are seeing the potential for less anatomical disruptive surgery in the future for treating common degenerative spinal disorders because we can preserve more of the natural anatomy."

 

Surgeons are working hand-in-hand with industry to develop new technologies that facilitate less invasive procedures. A big part of MINS is to promote research in the minimally invasive spine arena and validate procedures to ensure they benefit patients.

 

"The patient is ultimately the focus of our care," says Dr. Perez-Cruet. "I'm hopeful these minimally invasive procedures will provide better patient outcomes. We are certainly seeing patients with debilitating back pain undergoing these procedures and getting their lives back. That's very satisfying for the patient and clinician."

 

For more information about attending the MINS meeting or becoming a member go to www.minsociety.com

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