"We'll also want patients to come in for a pre-op physical therapy ses-
sion so they know how to use a walker before the surgery," he says. "If
they're just learning that after the surgery, when they're in pain, it could
slow their rehabilitation." — Bill Donahue
4 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M a y 2 0 1 7
M
ost of the outpatient
spinal surgeries
being done at The
Craniospinal Center of Los
Angeles (Calif.) are along the
minimally invasive lines of
spinal decompressions and
maybe cervical disc arthroplas-
ty. But that's likely to change
before too long, according to
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, the
center's founder.
"Mostly, it's the non-instru-
mented procedures, but those
will shift more toward fusions
and artificial discs," he says. "Some facilities are already pushing the
envelope with things like anterior and posterior lumbar fusion, but it's
more often the procedures like lumbar discectomy and the implanta-
tion of some stabilization devices — those are driving the bus right
now."
He says the No. 1 driver behind the increasing demand for outpa-
tient spine is government cost-cutting measures aimed at trimming
• GO SLOW Dr. Gantwerker's advice to facilities considering adding
spine to their service lines: Start slowly, and be on the lookout for
hidden costs.
SPINALSURGERY
