Becker's Spine Review

Spine Research & Innovation 30 tions are similar between the two groups," says Dr. Cho. "In the long term, we will have to see whether disc replacement can truly cut down on re-operation for adjacent segment disease." Outcomes for new disc replacement designs are currently being studied overseas, but it will likely take time before these developments move to the United States, if proven effectively. In the young field of motion preservation, there is plenty of room for future development. "In 10 years, if data comes out suggesting the use of an artificial device can decrease adjacent segment disease rates, people will be more likely to use that device instead of the conventional ACDF," says Dr. Cho. n Discectomy for Disc Herniation Could Save $2.1 Billion Over Non-Surgical Treatment By Laura Miller T reatment for orthopedic and spine injuries and conditions can have a huge economic impact on individuals, as well as society. However, untreated orthopedic injuries and conditions often leave people unable to work, placing additional economic strain on patients and families. At the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting 2013, Past President John R. Tongue, MD, moderated the Presidential Symposium titled "The Economic Value of Orthopaedic Surgery." KNG Health Consulting was commissioned to conduct a study on the societal and economic value of musculoskeletal care with its partner, IHS Global Insight, by AAOS. One of the treatments they discussed was disc herniation. Patients who underwent discectomy for disc herniation had an increased QALY, but also increased direct medical cost of $14,202 on average, according to the report. However, these costs were offset by societal benefits of $24,024, including $23,121 from higher rate of employment and income. Around $606 came from fewer missed work days. The net societal savings per person who underwent discectomy was $9,822 during a four-year period, and the authors of the report estimated discectomy for disc herniation could "generate a total net societal savings of $2.1 billion" when compared with non-surgical treatment. n 18 Spine Surgeon & Specialist Appointments and Accomplishments By Carrie Pallardy H ere are 18 spine surgeons and specialists that were recently appointed to prestigious positions or achieved notable accomplishments. Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, Wis., honored its neurology department and neurosurgeon Wesley Griffitt, MD, with the medical research innovation award in neurosurgery. Joan O'Shea, MD, owner and director of the Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey, organized an event to help hose affected by Hurricane Sandy. John Liu, MD, and Frank Acosta, MD, were recruited by the University of Southern California to help expand the spine team at Keck Medical Center. Dr. Liu will serve as the director of the spine division at the Keck School of Medicine, and Dr. Acosta will serve as an associate professor of neurosurgery. Eric Grigsby, MD, of Napa Pain Institute, performed the first minimally invasive spine surgery using the Totalis Direct Decompression procedure at Napa Surgery Center in Valle Verde, Calif. George Rappard, MD, neurointerventional surgeon, has opened the Los Angeles Minimally Invasive Spine Institute. Benjamin A. Alman, MD, has been named the new chair of orthopedic surgery at Duke University. The newly-created Society for Advanced Spinal Intervention has appointed Andrea Trescot, MD, and Gung Choi, MD to its board of directors. AAOS awarded Mark H. Gonzalez, MD, the 2013 Diversity Award. Dr. Gonzalez is professor and chairman of the department of orthopedics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He accepted UIC's first female African American orthopedic resident, also the first female member of the orthopedic faculty. Kenneth Hansraj, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon, launched his new book titled, Keys to an Amazing Life: Secrets of the Cervical Spine. Spine surgeon Isador Lieberman, MD, received the Golden Apple Award from Health Volunteers Overseas for his work with the Uganda Spine Surgery Mission. James Lynch, MD, has been name a top neurological surgeon in Nevada by the Leading Physicians of the World. The NeuroSpine Institute of Orlando, founded by neurosurgeon Robert Masson, MD, has opened its first ambulatory surgery center. Lee Tessler, MD, a board certified neurosurgeon, has received the Aleh Foundation community service award for excellence in medical care. The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine has appointed Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, PhD, as co-chairman of its editorial board. Dr. Vaccaro is the first full-time orthopedic surgeon to fill the position. Robert Watkins, MD, performed a successful microscopic lumbar discectomy on Shaun Cody, defensive tackle for the Houston Texans. Anthony Yeung, MD, has donated $2.5 million for the creation of a comprehensive spine center at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. n

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