Mark Adams, MD, performed Michigan's first coflex spinal procedure in an ASC last December.
Here are five things to know:
1. Dr. Adams performed the procedure at Mackinaw Surgery Center in Saginaw, Mich. The multispecialty surgery center was founded in 2007 and includes four operating rooms as well as three procedure rooms. The 16,000-square-foot facility houses ophthalmology, orthopedics, ENT and urology in addition to neurosurgery.
2. Coflex interlaminar stabilization is typically performed on patients with one or two level lumbar stenosis from L1-5 who have undergone six months of nonoperative treatment and still experience back pain. Paradigm Spine achieved FDA pre-market approval for coflex, a U-shaped device made from titanium alloy.
3. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is now covering coflex, which was a significant factor in performing the outpatient procedure.
4. Dr. Adams is a member of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons and completed his fellowship training in complex and reconstructive spine surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.