News Releases

Live Surgical Webcast Showcases Safe, Effective Option For Severe Back Pain

Houston, Texas, November 12, 2004 -- When conservative treatments for chronic back pain fail, surgeons must weigh the risks and benefits of a variety of complex surgical procedures. Accomplished spinal surgeon, Vivek P. Kushwaha, M.D., will demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the innovative transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedure during a live, global Webcast broadcast from Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, on Mon., Dec. 13, at 5:30 p.m. CST.

TLIF supports and generates bone growth on both sides of the spine and has enjoyed a high success rate since its development. TLIF can be safer than both anterior- and posterior-approach procedures. Anterior or frontal approaches to the spine often produce very good results, but pose risks as surgeons maneuver around vital organs and blood vessels. Posterior approaches, while avoiding these specific risks, pose a higher risk of nerve damage and are not as effective. TLIF provides a safer, effective third option.

In this procedure, Dr. Kushwaha will make an incision in the patient’s back, but approach the spine from the side. Some vertebral bone will be removed, allowing access to the disk and reducing nerve exposure. The disc is removed and replaced by a spacer and bone-graft material. Rods and screws are placed to support the spine over the next several months as bone growth connects the vertebra. This fusion eliminates movement at the affected site and, in most cases, significantly reduces or eliminates pain, allowing the patient to resume normal activities.

Bone-graft material may be obtained from the hip, but Dr. Kushwaha and his team use a synthetic bone-growth hormone instead, eliminating the need for two incisions.

“Because patients often experience significant post-surgical pain when bone is taken from the hip, we eliminate that step,” explained Kushwaha, chief of spine service, Department of Orthopedics at Memorial Hermann Hospital and The University of Texas Medical School. “Compared to other surgical options, TLIF results in fewer complications, shorter operating-room times, shorter hospital stays, less blood loss and lower overall costs to the patient.” Dr. Kushwaha and his team have performed more than 200 TLIF procedures to treat spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease, and to correct failed back surgery.

Serving as online moderators during the live Webcast will be Steve Allen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Rex Marco, M.D., program director for the Comprehensive Combined Spine Fellowship at the University of Texas Medical School-Houston. The moderators will receive e-mailed questions from viewers worldwide and relay them to Dr. Kushwaha, who will answer selected, appropriate inquiries during the surgery. Archived streaming video of the procedure will be available for at least one year, and Dr. Kushwaha and his team will continue to receive and answer e-mailed questions for one week following the surgery.

The program is second in a series sponsored by Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, giving medical professionals and consumers the opportunity to view cutting-edge surgical procedures live on the Internet from anywhere in the world. To view the webcast, visit http://www.or-live.com/memorialhermann/1281.

“As a leader in healthcare, Memorial Hermann is committed to making the latest medical information easily accessible to physicians and consumers,” Allen said. “Live surgical webcast technology on December 13 will allow us to share information about a best-practices spinal procedure that improves patient outcomes while lowering risk.”

For more information, contact Media Relations.