After receiving FDA 510(k) clearance in January, K2M Group Holdings, Inc. has now launched its next generation pedicle screw system—the MESA 2 Deformity Spinal System.
New K2M Deformity System Cuts Surgical Steps in Half
1 min read Premium comments
Secondary
Cutting Surgical Steps in Half
A July 2, 2015 announcement by company President and CEO Eric Major states the MESA 2 offers “new capabilities” to the underlying MESA technology and is designed to save time by cutting the number of basic surgical steps in half.
“MESA 2 is the much-anticipated upgrade to our flagship MESA platform. We take great pride in being viewed by the surgeon community as a company that is focused on innovation and differentiation, and we remain committed to developing products that will help improve the lives of patients suffering from the most complicated spinal pathologies.”
System Features
The system “features the next-generation MESA 2 screw, a top-loading, low-profile screw that offers a dual-lead thread pattern for fast insertion.” The MESA technology, according to the company, also features “Zero-Torque” Technology, which gives “surgeons the ability to one-step lock without torsional stress being applied to the spine. Both deformity polyaxial and uniplanar screws are available in this new system.”
The company also says the system features a variety of “easy-to-use reduction and spinal manipulation instruments.” This includes the Quicket, “an updated, quicker version” of the company’s “Cricket rod reduction technology that provides quick on/off capabilities, while correcting the spine in all three planes. Additionally, the company says the Over Quicket Final Locker “allows for one-step locking over the Quicket, thus eliminating the need to partial lock.”
The Cricket rod reduction technology received the 2010 Orthopedics This Week best new technology award.
To date, nearly 70 surgical cases using MESA 2 have been completed.
Laurel Blakemore, M.D., chief and associate professor of pediatric orthopedics in the department of orthopaedics at the University of Florida, said, “MESA 2 includes enhancements to the original MESA technology and instrumentation. This new system is yet another example of K2M’s pioneering efforts to design innovative solutions for correcting spinal deformities.”
React:
Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
Join the conversation
Orthopedic professionals are discussing this. Sign in and upgrade to read every comment and add your voice.