The Surgical Center Of St. Louis Hosts Training For Physicians In New Treatment For Patients With Metastatic Disease

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 24 Oct 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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The Surgical Center of St. Louis, a multi-specialty, outpatient surgical facility that provides cutting-edge treatment, held a training workshop on Saturday, October 20 for orthopedic surgeons to learn two innovative procedures for treating malignant lesions in the spine.

The first procedure reduces the malignant lesion using a plasma-mediated device called the Cavity Spinewand® and creates a small cavity in the vertebrae. The second procedure, known as Vertebroplasty, fills the void with medical-grade cement, stabilizing the fracture. This treatment provides pain relief for cancer patients who are suffering from metastatic disease of the spine. It does not eliminate other therapeutic options for the patient, such as radiation or chemotherapy.

One of the physicians from the Surgical Center of St. Louis attended the eight-hour workshop with over 20 physicians from throughout the country. The newly trained physicians join over 150 doctors currently using this technology to treat patients with vertebral compression fractures caused by metastatic disease.

"We hosted this innovative workshop to bring awareness of this new treatment to the community and enable our team to offer cutting edge treatment to the patients in need," said Lynn Winter, administrator of the Surgical Center of St. Louis.

The American Cancer Society estimates 30 to 70 percent of the more than half a million people who die annually of cancer have skeletal metastases. Vertebral compression fractures can create debilitating back pain, impaired mobility, and in some cases, paralysis. To learn more, visit http://www.vertebroplasty.com/tumortreatment.

About the Surgical Center of St. Louis

A physician owned ambulatory surgery center (ASC), the Surgical Center of St. Louis has been operating since 2005 and specializes in orthopedic, podiatric, general, and ophthalmic, surgery, GI procedures, and ongoing pain management. The Center is affiliated with United Surgical Partners International and accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. The Surgical Center of St. Louis is located at 12184 Natural Bridge Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044.

http://www.unitedsurgical.com

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