Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1365724
17 SPINE SURGEONS UCSF neurosurgeons perform 1st case with patient-specific interbody for spinal deformity By Alan Condon T wo neurosurgeons from the University of California San Francisco completed the first spine surgery with Carlsmed's aprevo, a patient-specific interbody for the treatment of adult spinal deformity. Christopher Ames, MD, director of spinal tumor and spinal deformity surgery at UC San Francisco Medical Center, was assisted by Patrick Maloney, MD, in the procedure. Aprevo is the only spine technology to receive the FDA's breakthrough device designation, ac- cording to the company. The aprevo portfolio is designed to "eliminate the tedious and costly process of stock device inven- tory control and reprocessing," Carlsmed CEO Mike Cordonnier said in a Feb. 23 news release. n Mount Sinai spine center to be led by Dr. Samuel Cho By Alan Condon N ew York City-based Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai plans to open a spine center as part of a long-term lease for a 165,000-square-foot space in Manhattan. Samuel Cho, MD, a specialist in minimally inva- sive spine surgery and complex reconstruction of spinal deformities, will lead the spine center, according to a March 11 news release. Jun Kim, MD, Jeremy Steinberger, MD, and Amir Mahajer, DO, will also practice at the facility. In addition to the Mount Sinai West Spine Center, the facility will include several research facilities, an imaging center and an ASC that will specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery, joint replace- ment and sports medicine, among other proce- dures. The building is expected to open in 2024. n Neurosurgeons tag-team 1st robotic spine surgery at Marcus Neuroscience Institute By Alan Condon F rank Vrionis, MD, and Timothy Miller, MD, completed the first robotic spine surgery at Marcus Neuroscience Institute in Boca Raton, Fla. The neurosurgeons performed a lumbar spinal fusion on a patient in his 70s with Medtronic's Mazor X robot. Marcus Neuroscience Insti- tute is the only facility offering the technology in Florida's Palm Beach and Broward counties, according to a March 24 news release. "With our new sophisticated robotic system, we will be able to per- form more minimally invasive procedures safely and effectively," Dr. Vrionis said. "This is particularly beneficial to our aging population, because it reduces the risk of infection and shortens hospital stays." Medtronic recently enhanced the Mazor robot by integrating its Mi- das Rex high-speed drills, which are intended to improve precision, disc-prep access and navigation, the company said. Marcus Neuroscience Institute comprises a four-neurosurgeon team led by Dr. Vrionis. n Dr. Alen Nourian takes his spine practice solo By Laura Dyrda A len Nourian, MD, recently left Ventura (Calif.) Orthopedics to launch a solo practice in Southern California. His practice focuses on artificial disc replacement and outpatient surgery. He has locations in Beverly Hills, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Rancho Cucamonga and North Hollywood, seeing 20 to 30 patients per day. He said he decided to start a solo practice to have more control over care delivery. "I wanted my patients to have a unique and customized experi- ence," he told Becker's. "In my solo practice, I am able to commu- nicate with patients directly through my patient portal and can an- swer patient questions or concerns very quickly. I am able to offer patients appointments after hours as well as on weekends." He anticipates growing his practice by incorporating robotic and navigation technology. Dr. Nourian earned his medical degree from the University of South- ern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles and complet- ed his residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York City. He also completed a fellowship at the San Diego Center of Spi- nal Disorders, now part of San Diego-based Scripps Health. n