Spine surgery innovation can serve ‘hundreds of patients at a time’
Dr. David Okonkwo kicks off Herche Lectureship from the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation
Innovation is giving spine surgeons more tools every day, and partnership opportunities and commercial funding are available for innovators with great ideas, Dr. David Okonkwo said, kicking off the inaugural David & Wendy Herche Lectureship for Surgical Innovation August 2.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center neurosurgeon said the constant flow of new medical devices, software platforms and groundbreaking techniques inevitably will drive better outcomes for more patients. At UPMC, Dr. Okonkwo is director of the Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Program and special advisor to the center's venture arm, UPMC Enterprises.
"The greatest feeling in the world for a physician is to help someone," he said. "You do it one patient at a time. And when you start to innovate, you influence hundreds of patients at a time."
Dr. Alex Thomas, an invited lecturer to the event, advocated for lateral single-position surgery, where the patient is positioned on one side, to improve the reliability of patient outcomes and the efficiency of operating rooms. Dr. Thomas is a neurosurgeon at Atlantic Brain and Spine in Wilmington, NC.
The Herche Lectureship launched this year from the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation, thanks to a generous donation from David and Wendy Herche. The Foundation helps train the next generation of neurosurgeons and supports leading-edge research from the clinicians of Mayfield Brain & Spine, one of the nation's premier independent neurosurgery practices. David Herche underwent surgery for a spinal tumor from Dr. William Tobler, who recently retired as a Mayfield neurosurgeon.
"We can continue to inspire through innovation," Dr. Tobler said in opening the lectureship. "At the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation, we take our responsibility seriously to promote the collaborations that will sow the seeds for new tools and techniques in the marketplace."
More than a dozen practicing physicians, neurosurgery residents and researchers joined the Lectureship August 1-2 to soak in some of those innovations and try them out in the Mayfield Foundation's hands-on cadaver lab.
The Herche Lectureship course director is Mayfield neurosurgeon Dr. Zachary Tempel, who trained under Dr. Okonkwo while serving his residency and fellowship at UPMC. He said both the lectures and the interaction during dissection labs will enhance the skills of physicians at any stage of their career.
" Dr. Okonkwo provided a valuable window into the marketplace for the next generation of spine surgery innovation, and Dr. Thomas' exploration into surgical technique opened new perspectives in spine surgery," Dr. Tempel said. "The synergy of lectures with face-to-face training makes the programming provided by the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation among the best in our nation."
Dr. Okonkwo's presentation, "Advanced and Enabling Technologies for Scoliosis Surgery," led off the first day. Viewing neurosurgery innovation through the lens of medical technology funders, he said technology now allows spine surgeons to discern the shape of a patient's spine and decide what hardware is needed – weeks in advance of actual surgery.
"The development space for med-tech is as healthy as it's ever been, but it's changing," he said.
Other presentations included:
- Dr. Tempel's lectured on "Bespoke Patient-Specific Spinal Technology."
- Mayfield neurosurgeon Dr. Bryan Krueger presented on "Artificial Intelligence in Spinal Surgery."
In addition to The Herche Lectureship, the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation presents a variety of programming to promote its mission of leading-edge innovation to serve patients. Examples include the Keller Lectures, presented annually to explore innovation in brain tumor surgery; and the Winter Clinics for Cranial & Spinal Surgery, a premier education event for practicing neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, fellows and residents that is held annually in Snowmass Village, Colo. The Foundation also will host a medical student neurosurgery training camp in collaboration with the New York-based Brain & Spine Group this fall.
"I applaud the Mayfields of the world that promote what is best for the surgeon, to do what is best for the patient," Dr. Okonkwo said.
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Cliff Peale, Senior Writer/Media Relations Specialist
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