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Press Release Modesto spine surgeon leads the nation in use of stem cell biotechnology procedure for spinal fusion patients MODESTO, CA, May 12, 2003 - A new spine surgery procedure that utilizes stem cells from patients' bone marrow is on the forefront of biotechnology-based 21st century medicine, and Modesto spine surgeon Alexander A. Davis, M.D. has performed more of the procedures than any other physician in the nation. Dr. Davis was the first surgeon in northern California to use a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting technique on patients needing spinal fusions, and he is now using the technique on a regular basis at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. The technique involves extracting patients' bone marrow and processing it using a new device called Cellect, manufactured by DePuy AcroMed, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary. Surgeons can now prepare a special graft material that is rich in cells, without subjecting the patient to a painful bone graft harvesting procedure. This new technology, which was rolled out nationally in May 2003, replaces the dated process that requires permanent removal of parts of patients' pelvic bones in order to provide a calcium scaffolding for new bone to grow on. Many patients find the old procedure more painful to recover from than their back surgeries, and the old procedure leaves them few options if future surgeries requiring bone grafts are needed. "I'm always interested in using techniques where we use the body's own cellular intelligence to heal it, without damaging normal parts of the body in the process." - Alexander A. Davis, M.D. The Procedure A needle is placed in the crest of the pelvis, and the marrow is gently suctioned out. This can be done using the same incision as the surgery, so an extra incision is not needed. The bone marrow is placed in the Cellect device, which pumps it through a special sponge made of bone-like material. The stem cells become concentrated on and adhere to a special sponge-like material. That material is then used for the bone graft, instead of bone chips. The procedure is especially useful in people with prior surgeries, where there's no more of the usual bone graft that can be harvested. ###
Dr. Davis is available to discuss the new process and its importance for patient care and the advance of spine surgery into the 21st century. Three minutes of broadcast-quality b-roll/nat. s. of Dr. Davis performing the delicate procedure is available. Media Contact: Wendy Jones (209) 612-0375 ph (209) 526-5636 fx BACK |
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