Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for March 22, 2018.
Alaska neurosurgeon sued after photographing patient's genitals during spine surgery
A lawsuit filed March 15 in Anchorage Superior Court alleges that neurosurgeon Louis Kralick, MD, photographed the genitalia of a patient undergoing spine surgery at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Dr. Kralick signed a letter of apology, KTVA reports. Read more about the case, here.
Chronic opioid users have 33% relative increase in likelihood of repeat spinal fusion within 1 year
Researchers from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus investigated the impact of chronic opioid therapy on complications following spinal fusion surgery. They discovered complications were more prevalent among patients on long-term opioids. Find out additional study findings, here.
Scoliosis Research Society collaborates with Medtronic, NuVasive & more for scoliosis study
The Scoliosis Research Society collaborated with the International Spine Study Group Foundation and several spine industry leaders to complete the Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis II study. Corporate partners include Globus Medical, K2M, Medtronic, NuVasive and Zimmer Biomet. The ASLS II study is a continuation of the ASLS I study, a randomized, prospective NIH-funded study assessing the two-year outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatment for adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis patients.
Orthofix acquires Spinal Kinetics for about $105M
Orthofix acquired Spinal Kinetics, a privately held company focused on artificial discs, for up to $105 million. Orthofix will acquire the company, which developed and manufactures the M6 artificial discs, for $45 million in cash closing considerations as well as up to $60 million contingent on milestone payments. Read more about the acquisition, here.
Top 5 best-compensated medical specialties: Neurosurgery is No. 1
Among physicians, neurosurgeons had the highest average annual salary in 2017 according to Doximity's second annual Physician Compensation Report. Neurosurgeons had an average annual salary of $662,755 in 2017, followed by thoracic surgeons ($602,745), orthopedic surgeons ($537,568), vascular surgeons ($476,300) and plastic surgeons ($473,212).
300+ surgeons have implanted Stryker's Tritanium C Anterior Cervical Cage since launch
Since its launch in late October 2017, Stryker Spine Division's Tritanium C Anterior Cervical Cage has been implanted by 311 surgeons in more than 1,770 procedures across the U.S. Stryker has sold more than 3,188 Tritanium C implants. The 3D-printed interbody fusion cage intended for use in the cervical spine is constructed from Stryker's proprietary Tritanium Technology, a highly porous titanium material designed for bone in-growth and biological fixation.
KentuckyOne Health partners with Taylor Regional Hospital to expand spine services
Lexington-based KentuckyOne Health and Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville, Ky., partnered. The agreement is to better align services between Lexington, Ky.-based Saint Joseph Hospital and KentuckyOne Health. Additionally, the agreement has brought spine surgery to Taylor Regional Hospital.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Jim Maxwell begins campaign for New York representative seat
Republican-backed candidate Jim Maxwell, MD, began his campaign to replace late Representative Louise Slaughter, D, in Congress, according to WHEC. Dr. Maxwell campaign is focused on solving healthcare problems and the opioid epidemic. Dr. Maxwell serves as chief of neurosurgery at Rochester (N.Y.) General Hospital.