NuVasive Enjoys Improved Surgical Training Results From Syndicom's SpineConnect Online Community

DURANGO, Colo., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- When leading medical device manufacturer NuVasive chose to enrich its XLIF procedure surgical training experience, the company turned to Syndicom, an innovative platform for online collaboration and knowledge sharing. NuVasive's training process now incorporates Syndicom SpineConnect's Web-based Technology Fellowship, which is modeled on fellowship training programs in the real world.

"We're pleased that NuVasive has enjoyed positive results from Syndicom SpineConnect and Technology Fellowships," said Scott Capdevielle, CEO of Syndicom. "Surgeons are now not only efficiently sharing clinical information regarding the XLIF procedure, but they also realize additional opportunities to modify business processes for marketing, training and ongoing education."

The online discussion group is comprised of surgeons trained in the XLIF procedure. It is designed to allow them to engage each other, ask questions, and receive replies -- thus raising their comfort level and confidence. By leveraging the SpineConnect Community, NuVasive is now able to maintain contact with surgeons long after they have completed initial training on the XLIF procedure.

"The NuVasive discussion group on SpineConnect gave me the confidence to perform my first surgery using the XLIF techniques," said Dr. Paul Slosar, a spine surgeon with SpineCare Medical Group. "I posted my case, and within 24 hours I had more than a dozen responses on how to approach it. That kind of feedback is extremely valuable, because it provides me with a detailed roadmap from a variety of doctors who have successfully performed the procedure in their own practices."

"As an instructor, seeing the cases that surgeons encounter and participating in the discussion of how to approach a particular case has been very satisfying for me," said Mark Peterson, medical director of Providence Spine Program and a NuVasive consulting surgeon. "This approach is highly personal, more engaging, and definitely more efficient for surgeon proctors. I get great feedback, and more importantly, I am personally involved in producing positive outcomes and preventing negative ones."

Surgeons who have completed their training, participate in the case discussions on the open SpineConnect platform that is available free of charge to spine surgeons. When the indications of a posted case fit the parameters for using the XLIF procedure, these trained surgeons suggest its use and offer their expert insights to others.

"Because of the success of the SpineConnect Community, we felt that Syndicom had a strong understanding about how surgeons collaborate and why peer-to-peer communication is so important," said Pat Miles, NuVasive's Vice President of Marketing. "Needless to say, we are very pleased with our collaboration."

About NuVasive

NuVasive is an innovations-based medical device company focusing on the design, implementation, development and marketing of products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders. NuVasive offers a unique and comprehensive solution for safe and reproducible disruptive surgical treatments for the spine. NuVasive's proprietary Maximum Access Surgery (MAS) technology provides significant benefits to surgeons and patients, including reduced surgery time, shorter hospital stays, and significantly faster recovery times. For more information, visit http://www.nuvasive.com.

About Syndicom

Syndicom provides an array of Web-based tools that allow medical professionals, medical device manufacturers, and other professional communities to work together and solve problems in a timely, efficient and economical way. The company's set of proprietary collaborative technology products fosters the discovery of new treatment plans, more effective surgical techniques, and life-saving medical devices. Syndicom's advanced communication tools let physicians around the world post challenging patient cases and respond immediately to their colleagues' questions. At the same time, Syndicom's innovative platform gives medical companies the ability to leverage and extend the knowledge and skills of physicians in the development of new medical technologies and devices. To learn more visit http://www.syndicom.com.

Contact: Lee Graham

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