Spine

Justin Bundy, MD, performed the first augmented reality-assisted pediatric spine surgery in the country using Augmedics' Xvision spine system, according to The Augusta Chronicle.

As surgical technologies continue to develop in spine, many surgeons are diving deeper into minimally invasive techniques, which are increasingly being performed in the outpatient setting.

Private equity deals will have an important role in spine practices, but physicians should be mindful about the relationship that comes with investments, said David Essig, MD, of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health.

From a revived lawsuit against a prominent commercial payer to a patent infringement case and a tainted spine product that may have gotten a patient sick, here are three spine cases that made headlines in the past month:

While CMS' decision last year to gradually phase out the inpatient-only list has been widely welcomed by the spine community, other regulatory changes related to reduced reimbursement and increased prior authorization requirements have not.

The Novartis gene therapy drug Zolgensma has led to significant improvements in motor function for presymptomatic children with spinal muscular atrophy, European Pharmaceutical Review reported June 21.

Private equity among spine and orthopedic practices has grown steadily over the past few years. Recently, a 21-physician spine practice in Lawrenceville, Ga., snagged private equity investment.

A Delaware man is suing Aziyo Biologics and Medtronic alleging he was infected with tuberculosis after receiving an infected spine allograft, which was produced and distributed by the two companies.

Darrel Brodke, MD, has been appointed chair of the orthopedic department at the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine and CEO of orthopedic musculoskeletal services for U of U Health, both in Salt Lake City.

U.S. News & World Report's Best Children's Hospitals for Neurology & Neurosurgery 2020-21 was published June 15, ranking 50 centers for pediatric neurosurgery and serious neurological conditions.