Spine and Neurosurgery for Patient

10/09/2025

A patient who could not lie flat for a full year due to severe back and leg pain from L4-5 spondylolisthesis underwent a single-level OLLIF. He woke up pain-free, describing it as a miracle. Four months later, he was traveling through the Serengeti—walking, exploring, and living fully again. One and a half years later, he remains symptom-free and active.

The patient had a one-level OLLIF and reports that it was a miracle to wake up pain-free after he had to sleep for one year on his chair. Four months later h...

07/25/2025

LaTonzia, a physician and advocate from Oregon, was long denied care due to her BMI of 64—reduced to a number rather than seen as a whole person. Traditional spine surgery was not an option. We fought hard together to make her surgery possible. Today, she is thriving—50 pounds lighter, active, and reclaiming her life. Her story is not rare, just rarely heard. And she’s ready to speak for the many still being overlooked.

LaTonzia a physician and advocate from Oregon, was long denied care due to her BMI of 64—reduced to a number rather than seen as a whole person. Traditional ...

06/18/2025

One of the most rewarding moments in a surgeon's life is helping patients no one else will. Elderly patients with complex scoliosis—often turned away by others—can now be treated safely using minimally invasive techniques. Most are discharged within 24 hours, walking, stable, and pain-free.

Watch the surgical highlight: https://youtu.be/MNLeWAa9-bA

05/08/2025

It is truly a privilege to have patients from across the country seek us out, knowing that we can offer them the help they need.

01/05/2025

This Case Has a Personal Meaning to Me

This case holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of why we do what we do. This was a patient I had to fight for—a journey that taught me so much about perseverance and purpose.

It serves as a powerful reminder: what we treat is not just a picture or a diagnosis, but a person—a human being with their own story, struggles, and hopes.

Thank you, Kayla, for allowing me to be part of your journey and for reinforcing what truly matters in medicine: the patient.

LETS STOP TREATING A PICTURE

10/04/2024

https://www.beckersspine.com/spine/60673-spine-surgeon-donates-ip-for-global-education-nonprofit.html

Hamid Abbasi, MD, PhD, donated all of his intellectual property to Avicenna Technical University, which promotes education, training and the spread of technolog

09/23/2024

Often, in our LinkedIn conversations, we see a picture, a case, or a number and forget that there is a person behind it. We become dogmatic, insisting that certain things absolutely should or should not be done. For example, if a patient has a high BMI, many argue it's on them to lose weight before they can have spine surgery. This sometimes even drifts into victim-shaming, implying that the only reason these patients experience pain is because of their weight, and it's entirely their responsibility to deal with it.

But we often forget our true duty: to help people, regardless of their background or situation. To bring this back to reality, sometimes it’s as simple as listening to the patient, because no doubt this patient needs help.

When I mention that we can help, I’m frequently met with the same generic responses—patients should lose weight before surgery. The reality is, many don’t lose weight; they become immobile and die from cardiovascular issues or, worse, from su***de.

Please listen to this patient's story, he was told he needs a surgery, but he needs to get a bariatric surgery before he can have back surgery, but the bariatric surgeon told him he cannot have bariatric surgery because it is too dangerous in his situation and he should do physical therapy and lose weight before he can have bariatric surgery. Anybody would be in confusion and desperation in a situation like this, nevertheless we can help this patient, the surgery was done under an hour with less than 50 cc of blood loss and the patient was discharged less than 24 hours later, but he had to drive 6 hours each way to get the care he needs and he had to change his insurance company to get the help he needs.

08/17/2024

We are looking for speakers for following topics for October Kambin Society Meeting Oct 16, 9:30 -11 PM central US standard time

1. History of TransKambin Approach and Anatomy

2. Spine spinal fusion and economy

3. TransKambin Endoscopy

4. TransKambin Fusion - OLLIF

5. TransKambin Fusion for Spondylolisthesis and Deformity

6. Barrier to Adoption and Objection to TransKambin Fusion, (Subsidization, Lordosis, Fusion and the Adequacy of Discectomy)

7. Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for TransKambin Approach

8. Percutaneous Facet Fusion and Percutaneous Screw Placement

9. OLLIF Perioperative Pain Management

10. Artificial Intelligence in Spine Practice

Please signup and submit on KambinSociety.org

08/10/2024

Most patients take what we do as physicians for granted, and they should—it’s our job to care for them. But every once in a while, there’s a patient who sees beyond the title and recognizes the dedication, compassion, and effort we put into our work—not just as professionals, but as fellow human beings. It’s these moments of recognition and appreciation that give us the emotional fuel to push through the toughest days. Thank you, Kayla, for giving me that fuel to keep going. Your gratitude means more than words can express.

07/13/2024

**Patient Safety: A Critical Discussion - When chat GPT is smarter than the "DUDE" in the hospital.**

Have you ever heard someone in a hospital justify their actions by claiming it was for patient safety? It's a term often cited in the U.S. healthcare system, but how frequently is it used to disguise less noble deeds? This prompted me to delve into what truly constitutes a patient safety issue.

It's not enough for someone to declare an action, surgeon, or procedure safe or unsafe. Upon closer examination, the flaws in their reasoning often become apparent. So, what defines patient safety, and how do we measure it?

In my quest for clarity, I turned to CHAT-GPT. Despite any reservations I might have about this tool, its ability to sift through vast amounts of data and provide a concise summary is undeniable. It confirmed that the patient safety metrics it provided are indeed reliable.

Let's discuss these metrics and understand what makes a healthcare action genuinely safe. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on patient safety standards. So if anybody says the word patient safety but cannot back it up by the following, you know they are being disingenuine.



Safety metrics in surgery are measurable indicators used to evaluate the safety, quality, and effectiveness of surgical procedures. These metrics help in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring patient safety. Key safety metrics in surgery include:

1. **Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Rate:**
- The percentage of patients who develop infections at the surgical site within a specified time frame post-surgery.

2. **Mortality Rate:**
- The percentage of patients who die as a result of surgical procedures or related complications within a certain period.

3. **Readmission Rate:**
- The percentage of patients who are readmitted to the hospital within a specific period after surgery due to complications or issues related to the initial procedure.

4. **Reoperation Rate:**
- The percentage of patients who require a second surgery due to complications or issues arising from the initial procedure.

5. **Adverse Event Rate:**
- The percentage of patients experiencing adverse events such as blood clots, pulmonary embolism, or cardiac events during or after surgery.

6. **Length of Stay (LOS):**
- The average duration of hospital stay for patients undergoing specific surgical procedures. Shorter stays often indicate fewer complications and faster recovery.

7. **Patient Satisfaction:**
- Surveys and feedback from patients regarding their experience, including pain management, communication, and overall care quality.

8. **Return to Operating Room (ROR):**
- The percentage of patients who need to return to the operating room for unplanned procedures related to complications from the initial surgery.

9. **Blood Transfusion Rate:**
- The percentage of patients requiring blood transfusions during or after surgery, indicating blood loss management.

10. **Postoperative Complications Rate:**
- The percentage of patients experiencing complications such as infections, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or respiratory issues within a specified period after surgery.

11. **Compliance with Surgical Safety Checklists:**
- The percentage of surgical procedures that adhere to standardized safety checklists, such as the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.

12. **Neurological Complication Rate:**
- The percentage of patients experiencing neurological complications, such as nerve damage or stroke, during or after surgery.

13. **Vascular Injury Rate:**
- The percentage of patients experiencing vascular injuries during surgery, including major blood vessel damage.

14. **Anesthesia-Related Complications:**
- The percentage of patients experiencing complications related to anesthesia administration, such as allergic reactions or respiratory issues.

15. **Wound Dehiscence Rate:**
- The percentage of patients experiencing wound dehiscence, where the surgical incision reopens after closure.

16. **Patient Falls:**
- The incidence of patient falls during the hospital stay, which can be indicative of issues with postoperative care and mobility management.

These safety metrics help healthcare providers monitor and improve surgical practices, ensuring better patient outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.

06/25/2024

phi·los·o·pher

/fəˈläs(ə)fər/

‘lover of wisdom’,

The origin of the term, from the Greek *philosophos* (‘lover of wisdom’), encapsulates this beautifully. However, the state of academia today, whether in Germany or the USA, tells a different story.

ac·a·de·mi·a

/ˌakəˈdēmēə/

the environment or community concerned with the pursuit of research, education, and scholarship.

I recently listened to an incredible talk that resonates deeply with the reality many true seekers and lovers of science face in academia in 2024. It is one of the best talks I've heard, shedding light on the hard deck true seekers of science must navigate.

I encourage everyone to listen to the entire talk. It is a stark reflection of the obstacles and challenges that impede genuine scientific inquiry and philosophical pursuit in our current academic landscape.

This is my contribution to bring the "you" back into YouTube can support me on Patreon ➜ https://www.patreon.com/Sabine

05/14/2024

Chris Shaffery presented on necessity for extra instrumentation in long construct to ILIAC crest. Recognized that HW failure typically occurs at S1, thus long constructs benefit from reinforcement with ILIAC instrumentation. The Our New ILIAC bolt, introduced, is stronger than the ILIAC screw and is placed entirely MIS. Stay tuned for more updates on this advancement.

Chris Shaffery presented on necessity for extra instrumentation in long construct to ILIAC crest. Recognized that HW failure typically occurs at S1, thus lon...