Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on April 15 identified the recall of Brainlab's Spine & Trauma 3D Navigation Software as Class I, the most serious. The Software is being recalled because of the potential for incorrect information to display during surgery, which may prevent the surgeon from…
Editor's Note Removal of multiple herniated or degenerative discs in the neck, known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), can be safely performed in an outpatient setting, finds this study presented March 13 at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Las Vegas. Of 103 patients included in the…
Editor's Note The Healthcare Quarterly report by Moody’s Investors Service shows the orthopedics and spine sectors increasingly performing robotic-assisted procedures, the January 18 Becker’s Spine Review reports. This is resulting in strong growth for device firms with major investments in these specialties, particularly Medtronic with its Mazor robotics platform for…
Editor's Note The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has published a new “Practice Advisory for Perioperative Visual Loss Associated with Spine Surgery 2019,” which updates the Practice Advisory published by the ASA in 2012. The purpose of the Advisory is to enhance awareness and reduce the frequency of perioperative visual…
Editor's Note The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) announced on October 25 that it has launched an Advanced Orthopaedic Certification program for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) performing total joints and spine procedures. The 3-year certification program was designed by an expert panel of practicing orthopaedic and spine professionals…
Editor's Note Engineers and neurosurgical researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a 3D-printed device with living cells that could help patients with long-term spinal cord injuries regain some function, according to this August 9 report from the University of Minnesota. For the procedure, a 3D-printed guide, made of…
Editor's Note Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) and NuVasive (San Diego, California) have entered into a strategic partnership to create integrated 3D imaging, surgical automation technology, and navigation for minimally invasive spine procedures, the August 9 Becker’s Spine Review reports. The collaboration, called the “Spine Precision Partnership,” will integrate Siemen’s Cios…
Editor's Note In this study, many patients reported unused opioids after joint and spine surgery, infrequent use of nonopioid analgesics, and lack of knowledge on safe opioid storage and disposal. Of 140 patients analyzed, 35% were taking preoperative opioids. Among those who stopped taking opioids after surgery, possession of unused…
Editor's Note Patients having surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) are less likely to be dependent on opioids after surgery than before, this study finds. Of 10,708 DS patients who had surgery between 2000 and 2012, 14.85% were opioid dependent within 12 months before surgery, and 9.90% were opioid dependent 3…
Editor's Note An Acquire Market Research report predicts the global spinal fusion market will grow at a 4.54% compound annual growth rate through 2023, according to the June 21 Becker’s Spine Review. Reasons for the predicted growth are the: growing incidence of spinal deformity cases rising healthcare awareness increase in…