Spine

Jerry Summers has died 10 years after former neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, MD, performed spine surgery on him at Baylor Medical Center in Plano, Texas, ABC affiliate Local 24 News reported Feb. 11.

Here are three updates from the North American Spine Society over the past two weeks:

Endoscopic spine surgery offers many benefits over traditional spinal fusion, including shorter operative times, less bleeding and quicker recovery times.

Neurologic spine surgeon Robert Bray Jr., MD, has joined the Super Doctors Hall of Fame after being honored as one of Southern California's top physicians for 10 consecutive years.

Neurosurgeon Brent Kimball, MD, has used augmented reality to perform two spine surgeries at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colo., since it installed the technology in January, the Centennial Citizen reports.

Individualized infection prevention strategies tailored to operative level are needed in spine surgery, according to a study published in Spine in February.

Xcelerate, an information technology and services company, has added neurosurgeon Dilantha Ellegala, MD, to its newly formed board of directors.

John Peloza, MD, is returning to Vail, Colo.-based The Steadman Clinic after spending several decades developing his own practice in Dallas.

Three spine surgeons who introduced new technologies in the past month:

Justin Slavin, MD, became the second spinal neurosurgeon to join Milford (Mass.) Regional Medical Center in the past four months, Milford Daily News reports.