Becker's ASC Review

56 ORTHOPEDICS The next 5 years in spine: 5 surgeons on technology to watch By Laura Dyrda F ive spine surgeons discuss where they expect technology to evolve over the next half-decade. Question: What emerging technology or technique will have the biggest impact on the field over the next five years? Andrew Cordover, MD. Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Cen- ter (Birmhingham, Ala.): I believe image-guidance technology (intraop- erative imaging) and biologics will have the biggest impact on the spine field five years from now. Currently, the cost of image guidance can be intimidating to hospitals and surgery centers. As this technology advances with consequent reduction in cost, this will help clear the economic hurdle and allow for this technology to gain more universal acceptance. On the biologics front, there will have to be more accountability with spending and outcomes with resultant improved patient care. Roger Hartl, MD. Director of Spine Surgery at Weill Cornell Medi- cine (New York City): Biologics are starting to enter the surgical arena, but we are still at the beginning. We need better data that biologics really have an impact on disc regeneration and repair. Many groups are working on this and we will likely have better evidence soon. Also, the advantages of tissue engineering (in addition to just injecting cells) have not been taken advantage of. So far, we just use cells but a combination with tissue engineered materials and strategies for annular repair and disc regeneration may have an additional positive impact. Khalid Kurtom, MD. Medical Director of System Operations at Uni- versity of Maryland Shore Regional Health (Easton, Md.): Robotics and neuro-navigation are two areas receiving national and international attention in spine surgery. Currently, there are systems that are used in placing spinal instrumentation with great accuracy. e goal moving forward is to develop systems that can complete the entire spinal opera- tion, not just the instrumentation. is requires innovations in micro- optics and micro-instrumentation. Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center (Las Vegas): Minimally invasive techniques, navigation and robotic-assisted spine surgery will continue to evolve and improve over the next several years with expanding indications, shorter learning curve and improved patient safety and operative efficiency. As the need for spine surgery remains high and will likely increase with aging population, minimally invasive procedures will provide safer care with less complications and quicker recovery. Navigation and robotic technology will make it easier for more spine surgeons to adapt to minimally invasive techniques. Avery Jackson, MD. Michigan Neurosurgical Institute (Grand Blanc, Mich.): Vertebral augmentation. As the population is aging, there's more of a need to develop techniques and be more aggressive with decreasing the knowledge gap for osteoporosis management and diagnosis as well as treatment of compression fractures of the spine and other osteopo- rotic fractures. e impact to society is increasing as the population is aging. Also, when these fractures occur it adds to the opioid epidemic as these patients are untreated and undiagnosed. erefore, [they] are requiring more narcotic and analgesic management. n Omni Orthopedics breaking ground on new surgery center — 5 insights By Eric Oliver C anton, Ohio-based Omni Orthopedics broke ground on a surgery center April 27, Canton- Rep.com reports. What you should know: 1. Omni is building the Omni/Oasis Surgery Center. 2. The center will be 38,000 square feet. 3. The center will have six operating rooms, two pain management procedure rooms and overnight space. 4. Physicians will perform joint replacements and spine procedures at the center. 5. Omni plans to hire more employees to staff the center, doubling its workforce. n Twin Cities Orthopedics adds Dr. Robert LaPrade — 4 insights By Eric Oliver R obert LaPrade, MD, PhD, left Vail, Colo.-based The Steadman Clinic and joined Golden Val- ley, Minn.-based Twin Cities Orthopedics. What you should know: 1. Dr. LaPrade specializes in treating complicated knee injuries. 2. He's an accomplished sports medicine physician and has received several research awards, including the OREF Clinical Research Award. 3. Dr. LaPrade has published more than 400 peer- reviewed scientific manuscripts and 125 book chapters in his career. 4. He sees patients at TCO's Eagan, Minn., and Edina, Minn., locations. Dr. LaPrade said: "It is an honor and privilege to [ join] Twin Cities Orthopedics with their top surgeons and state-of-the-art facilities. Minnesota is home to my family and me, and I am eager to be back providing specialized care in our home- town." n

• Cover