Zhuhai, China – From November 15 to November 18, MicroPort® Orthopedics attended the 12th Chinese Orthopedic Association ("COA") and hosted series of symposiums. This year's COA focused on the updated achievements, latest technologies and clinical advancement in the fields of joint, spine, trauma, bone tumor, arthroscopy, and sports medicine, and attracted more than 23,000 attendees from China and abroad.
During the COA, MicroPort® Orthopedics for the first time displayed the first-generation prototype of the Minimal Invasive, High Efficiency Orthopedic Robotic System, which attracted wide attention from the attendees. The project "Research on Minimal Invasive, High Efficiency Orthopedic Robotic System" was listed in the National Key Research & Development ("R&D") Plan, falling into the category of "Digital Diagnostic Equipment R&D." As the first domestically developed joint surgical robotic system, it drew attention from overseas experts for its unique high dexterity, light-weight manipulator design. Donald M. Kastenbaum, MD, from Mount Sinai Health System, showed great interest in this robotic system and said he looked forward to its market launch. Other orthopedic experts from Israel, UK, also came to inquire for product information. The debut of MicroPort® Orthopedics' robotic system showed the company's determination in developing high-end medical device such joint prosthesis and robotic systems.
During the session of joint minimally invasive technique, Professor Yibin Wei of Huashan Hospital of Fudan University introduced the advantages, steps, and surgical skills of SuperPath™ Micro-posterior Total Hip Arthroplasty ("SuperPath™"). According to Professor Wei, Huashan Hospital completed the first SuperPath™ surgery in August 2014 for an 88-year-old patient. The patient achieved fast recovery and was able to walk on her feet shortly after the surgery. Professor Wei said, the surgical technique features small incision, less blood loss, less pain, and low postoperative dislocation rate, and it can avoid complications like DVT. Director Weiping Ji of Lishui People's Hospital delivered a speech on technique of acetabular screw implantation and balance strategy for limb length discrepancy in SuperPath™ surgeries. Director Ji first introduced the development history and technical advantages of SuperPath™. He said, SuperPath™ can maintain hip dynamic-stability structure by sparing musculi piriformis and external rotator muscles, and static-stability structure by sparing hip capsule as well. SuperPath™ brings the patient higher hip stability, lower postoperative complication rate and faster recovery to full function. Based on his clinical experience, Director Ji shared the key points of acetabular screw implantation, as well as balance limb length by preoperative measurement and intraoperative assessment. He said, SuperPath™ is truly a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty, which can help patients and surgeons to achieve desired postoperative outcome.
In the following session, Director Chengdong Zhu of Yizheng People's Hospital released a report on early follow-up results of 22 cases of SuperPath™ THA. The report showed, the average incision length is 7cm, the average operative time is as short as 106 minutes, and none of the infection, DVT, dislocation and aseptic loosening were found in these patients. Director Zhu said, the occurrence rate of dislocation in traditional THA is 2.9% to 6.0% compared to 0.8% in SuperPath™ surgeries. He also recognized other technical advantages of SuperPath™.
On November 16, MicroPort® Orthopedics hosted series of satellite meeting activities. Professor Yunsu Chen of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital gave a report on SuperPath™ surgical techniques and clinical follow-up. Professor Chen explained SuperPath™ surgical steps and skills and shared the follow-up outcome of SuperPath™ surgeries. He summarized the advantages in SuperPath™, including less dislocation and fast recovery after surgery; less bleeding and neural paralysis; preservation of capsule to stabilize the joint; less vessel tortuosity to avoid DVT; operation under direct vision to reduce fluoroscopy times; no need of special equipment; accurate assessment for femoral anteversion; and shortened learning curve. Professor Chen said, SuperPath™ is a minimally invasive THA sparing muscles which is in line with the modern fast recovery philosophy. He added: "SuperPath™ is a kind of in-situ osteotomy technique, operating under direct vision. With the rapid development of the surgical robot in the coming future, advantages that keeping hip and the entire leg in position during the whole operation will continue to emerge and play a more and more important role." Afterwards, Director Qiang Li of Changshu No.2 People's Hospital, Director Ting Wang of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and other surgeons in attendance exchanged ideas with Professor Chen regarding difficulties in SuperPath™ surgeries. In addition, during satellite meetings hosted by other companies, Director Jinhua Wang of Ma'anshan People's Hospital introduced the development and advantages of SuperPath™ and shared his clinical experience.
On November 16, MicroPort® Orthopedics hosted a symposium on total knee arthroplasty ("TKA") surgical technique and clinical experience in medial pivot knee. Professor Yihe Hu of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University was invited to share the surgical technique of using EVOLUTION™ Medial Pivot Total Knee System ("EVOLUTION™") to treat varus knee. Professor Hu first explained the standard TKA surgical technique for varus knee. He said: "Varus knee is commonly seen in patients with osteoarthritis, and medial pivot knee is an ideal solution." Based on a surgical video of EVOLUTION™, Professor Hu explained the mechanical alignmen, precision of bone cutting and soft tissue balance, and highlighted surgical tech for sizing guide and 4-in-1 cutting block. Professor Hu said, the instruments for EVOLUTION™ resolve the condylar sizing dilemma caused by the traditional instrument design, introducing "shade mark" instead of "scale mark", which means the surgeon doesn't have to choose from the bigger or smaller condylar size when the pointer is in the middle of the meter scale. It not only makes the surgical easier but also improves the surgical outcome. In many cases, the early failure of TKA is caused by imprecision of bone cutting and restoring incorrectly joint line which is attributed to the imbalance of flexion gap and extension gap caused by inappropriate condylar size. However, the sizing guide and 4-in-1 cutting block for EVOLUTION™ features the fine tuning function which provides 2mm anterior-posterior adjustment to get perfect flexion gap, facilitating the surgeons to precisely implant the prosthesis to improve surgical outcome. After the session, MicroPort® Orthopedics held book-signing event in which Professor Hu was invited to sign and give out the book "Surgical Technique of Total Joint Replacement" translated by Professor Hu.
During the satellite meeting activities on November 17, Professor Tiebing Qu of Chinese Knee Society was invited as the guest speaker. Professor Tie is a renowned knee replacement expert who has 30 years' experience in knee replacement and has completed 5,000 cases of total knee replacement surgeries. He vividly explained the design rationale of medial pivot knee based on knee biomechanical study and its clinical application. The medial compartment is much more stable than the lateral compartment during the normal knee flexion. The main factor for knee stability is the high geometrical conformity of the tibiofemoral joint. The lateral compartment provides "rollback" during the movement because of high compliance. Medial pivot knee is designed based on such theories. Professor Qu said: "The advantages of medial pivot knee, such as bone conservation and high patient satisfaction will exert significant impact on the orthopedic industry." Experts in attendance also exchanged ideas regarding medial pivot knee to help each other enhance theoretical knowledge and surgical skills related with knee replacement.
On the same day, Professor Xiangming Huang of Taiwan-based China Medical University Hospital was invited to deliver a speech on the application of Midline Lumbar fusion ("MIDLF") in small incision surgery. Based on his rich experience in MIDLF surgeries, Professor Huang explained the advantages of minimally invasive surgeries, MIDLF techniques, and cortical bone screw techniques by pictures and videos. In the end, he shared the advantages of MicroPort® Orthopedics Wiltrom Spinal Fixation System in small incision MIDLF surgeries. After the satellite meeting, Professor Huang also shared his clinical experience with experts in attendance.
MicroPort® Orthopedics displayed Wiltrom Spinal Fixation System in its booth and attracted wide attention with its unique guiding pin and guiding instruments. Through interpretations and demonstrations, MicroPort® Orthopedics showcased the advantages of Wiltrom Spinal Fixation System and introduced Piscis™ Lumbar & Thoracic Fusion Device, Takin™ Spinal Posterior Fixation System, and Bicera Bone Graft Substitute to visitors.
During the COA, many attendees visited MicroPort® Orthopedics booth and showed great interest in SuperPath™ technique, EVOLUTION™ knee as well as spine and trauma products. Zixin Weng, President of MicroPort® Orthopedics China, said: "MicroPort® Orthopedics will continue to launch professional academic activities and diversify innovative product lines to offer more orthopedic solutions for patients in China, Asia and the whole world."