The SMISS '10 Highlights Series: Spinal Endoscopic Approaches: Indications, Techniques and Outcomes

Agenda

Anatomy of the Transforaminal Endoscopic Approach
Anthony Yeung, MD

Cervical Endoscopic Surgery: Indications, Technical Pearls, and Outcomes
Gun Choi, MD

Percutaneous Techniques for Disc Decompression: Indications, Technical Pearls, and Outcome
Eduardo Barreto, MD

Media

Internet

Release Date: March 25, 2011
Expiration Date: March 24, 2012

Faculty

  • Eduardo Barreto, MD
  • Gun Choi, MD
  • Anthony T. Yeung, MD

Target Audience

This online continuing educational program has been designed to meet the educational needs of orthopaedic and neurological surgeons, and their fellows and residents, and other specialties involved in the care of patients with spinal disorders.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the anatomy relevant to the transforaminal endoscopic approach.
  • Discuss the indications, techniques and outcomes associated with cervical endoscopic, and percutaneous surgical techniques.

Statement of Educational Needs

The field of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) has expanded dramatically in the last 5 years. MISS techniques are now utilized to treat all types of spinal disorders. Spine surgeons attempt to keep up with MISS advances in an environment in which several major peer-reviewed journals publish more than 50 new articles monthly, and in which new MISS techniques and technologies are consistently emerging. In the midst of this, it is very challenging for spine surgeons to be aware of what is the current standard of care for spine patients treated with MISS techniques.

In this context, there is a need for spine surgeons to have access to concise updates on research into MISS that have been identified by peer review as being of significant clinical and scientific value.

Course Completion Time

Based upon trials, the estimated time to complete this program is 0.5 hour.

Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by Medical Education Resources, Inc., and BroadWater, LLC.

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Educational Grant

This activity is supported by an educational grant from: SMISS (www.smiss.org) is a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to improving the health of patients with spinal disorders by advancing the highest quality minimally invasive spinal care for patients.

Physician Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Medical Education Resources, Onc. (MER) and BroadWater, LLC. Medical Education Resources is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Medical Education Resources designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Policy

Medical Education Resources ensures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all our educational programs. In accordance with this policy, MER identifies conflicts of interest with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Conflicts are resolved by MER to ensure that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a CME activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. MER is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not the business interest of a commercial interest.

Faculty Disclosure

In accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ACCME guidelines, the financial and significant relationships to this program are listed below.

Eduardo Barreto, MD has indicated the following relevant financial relationships: Consultant or employee: Braun, Hydrocision

Gun Choi, MD has indicated the following relevant financial relationships: Consultant or employee: Wolf

Anthony T. Yeung, MD has indicated the following relevant financial relationships: Royalties have been received from: YESS Endoscopic Spine System, Elliquence Disc Fx System

Staff Disclosure

In accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ACCME requirements, the relevant financial and significant relationships of staff/content advisors who have been involved with this program are disclosed below:

Jeremy Longhurst
No items to disclose.

Julie Gentile
No items to disclose.

Nathan Scott (MER)
No items to disclose.

Method of Participation

There are no fees for participating in and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period March 25 2011 through March 24, 2012, participants must:

  1. read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures,
  2. study the educational activity,
  3. complete the posttest,
  4. complete the evaluation form, and
  5. submit the completed post test and evaluation form via www.SpineCME.org Participants will be able to obtain  their statement of credit upon online submission of the completed posttest and evaluation with a score of 80% or better.

Disclaimer

The content and views presented in this educational activity are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of MER or BroadWater, LLC. The authors have disclosed if there is any discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA in their presentations. The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of MER or BroadWater, LLC.

Before prescribing any medicine, primary references and full prescribing information should be consulted. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management.

Purpose

This program is for educational and scientific purposes only. Any discussion of a product will be objective, balanced, and scientifically rigorous.

Off-Label/Investigational Use

It should be noted that specific medicines and medical devices discussed or referred to in this program may not yet be specifically cleared by the FDA for use in the United States. It is emphasized that package inserts must be referred to for labeling limitations for products used in the United States.

Software Requirements