An Orthopedic Spine Surgeon On Why Spine Surgeons Should Be Looking Forward To LifeGel

The Medcura team recently sat down with Jun S. Kim an orthopedic spine surgeon at Mount Sinai West Spine Center. Dr. Kim shared his perspectives on why spine surgeons should be looking forward to LifeGel, a flowable hemostatic agent that is in development and has already received an FDA Breakthrough Device Designation.

Hemostasis is crucial during spine surgery for visualization and reducing the risk of blood loss that could lead to complications. According to Dr. Kim, LifeGel is an important future spine surgery blood control innovation to watch because it:

✅ Has no-swell properties

“As a fellow, I trained at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. I was taught to use flowable hemostatic agents judicially during pedicle screw insertion because of their inadvertent risk of extravasation into the spinal canal, swelling and causing serious complications. Dr. Lawrence Lenke’s group has published on this topic in the past. A no-swell product like LifeGel could mitigate the risk caused by swelling hemostatic agents potentially leading to a safer procedure,” Dr. Kim explains.

✅ Could facilitate the transition of some spinal surgeries to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs)

“In my own practice, a patient has been referred to me after experiencing neurologic complications caused by swelling flowable hemostatic agents left in the cervical spine,” Dr. Kim recalls. “We were able to remove the product in time for the patient to make a full recovery. I do have concerns about sending anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF) patients home after having used a swelling flowable hemostatic agent. I would feel much more comfortable sending ACDF patients home after having used a no-swell product like LifeGel.”

✅ Is potentially more cost-efficient than other flowable hemostatic agents

“In addition to reducing complications and making discharges safer, surgical facilities are always trying to cut costs where reasonable,” Dr. Kim observes. “Because LifeGel comes at a significant cost advantage compared to other flowable hemostatic agents, I see it as being a very obvious alternative.”

✅ Is ready to use with less waste

“Current flowable hemostatic agents take 3-5 minutes to prepare. I typically have some flowable hemostatic agents prepared before my case so that I don’t have to wait when I need it. In some instances, product may be wasted if prepared and not used. If I need to use more product than was prepared before the case, I will have to wait for the 3-5 minutes during the case for it to be prepared. A ready to use product like LifeGel will streamline the case and potentially reduce unnecessary waste,” Dr. Kim explains.

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Disclaimer:

LifeGel™ and its application tips are currently in development. All intended uses and/or indications for use for this medical device and its application tips have not been cleared or approved by the FDA.