Spine

Don Stovall, MD, of Summerville, S.C.-based Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine has completed 151 robot-assisted lumbar spine surgeries, a spokesperson told Becker's March 8. 

Florence (S.C.) Neurosurgery and Spine Center has joined hospital system McLeod Health, also based in Florence. 

Like all specialties, spine surgery is unique and has its own set of rules and guidelines. Here are the things spine surgeons wish other healthcare professionals knew about the profession:

Edward DelSole, MD, has performed the first lumbar spinal fusion surgery with a lifetime guarantee at Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Community Medical Center. 

Research from New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery found 3D imaging was better than 2D radiographs for confirming pedicle screw placement in spine surgery.

Healthcare technology company Aclarion has added Alpesh Patel, MD, co-director of Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine Center for Spine Health, as a key opinion leader and physician adviser. 

Pinehurst (N.C.) Surgical Clinic has completed the first trial cases using 3Spine's Motus device, an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. 

Another spine surgeon was convicted of accepting bribes for performing surgeries at the now-defunct Pacific Hospital in Long Beach, Calif.

Becker's reported on four key studies in spine and orthopedics since Feb. 13:

Christopher Battista, MD, of Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Summerville, S.C., performed the state's first surgery using a 3D-printed custom implant.