In the surgical field, personalized medicine has a role to play across all stages of patient care—including when physicians make a diagnosis, create a treatment plan, do preoperative preparations and give postoperative care. A relatively recent occurrence is the introduction of “personalized” medical devices, which come with a premium price but typically without evidence that they can improve patient outcomes. This includes the ConforMIS knee implant that is designed to shorten operative time and is one of few devices truly customized to individual patients.
Cranial and spine surgeons have the option of 3D mapping and printing technologies to minimize guesswork, and potentially shorten surgical times and procedural success. There’s even a magnetically-controlled spinal rod for kids with scoliosis that doctors can lengthen to accommodate growing bodies until they’re old enough for back surgery. In this case, personalization through external fixation leads to greater patient satisfaction via fewer invasive procedures and by minimizing pain.
To aid providers in making the buy-or-forego decision, three HealthTrust subject matter experts put their head together on an executive summary looking at the latest trends in personalized medical devices and offering tips for making informed budgetary decisions. They also offer a peek forward at some of the customized implants now under development, including a sensor that will tell doctors if a surgical site infection is starting. Read the full Executive Summary.
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