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he uses lets him confirm
the precise placement of
screws and implants
around nerves and arter-
ies — all during the case.
"We never before had the
ability to do that in the
middle of procedures," he
says.
Don't let high price tags
scare you away from adding imaging technology that can improve outcomes
and reduce the need for follow-up CT scans and revision surgery.
Worth a look
Dr. Gary says his hospital's C-arm provides a CT-scan-like image in the OR in
around 2 minutes, while the patient's still under. "That's the information we used
to have to move the patient out of the OR to a CT scanner for, and potentially
back to the OR for reintubation to alter placement of hardware that was less than
optimal," he explains. "Our C-arm moves that ability into the OR in a way that's
not disruptive."
Hospitals have financial incentives for running CT scans after temporizing sur-
gery to confirm the correct placement of hardware, but new C-arms that elimi-
nate a CT scan and return trip to the OR for revision surgery could result in sig-
nificant healthcare savings, according to Dr. Gary.
"Radiologists won't like it, because they don't get to read scans, and hospitals
won't get to charge for it, but from a healthcare dollar standpoint, you're saving
a lot of money," he says.
Gregory Jett, president of Creative Surgical Solutions in Panama City, Fla.,
says CMOS technology, flat-panel C-arms, 3D imaging and much more powerful
imaging capabilities have hit the market in the past 3 years.
"With older models, there are some borders of anatomy that you can't see,
• LIVE UPDATE Detailed imaging in the OR lets surgeons confirm precise placement of
implants and hardware.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN