Atlantic Brain and Spine

Exciting news! Dr. J. Alex Thomas from Atlantic Brain and Spine is set to join the prestigious AO Spine Master Course as an international professor. Heading to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Dr. Thomas will share his expertise in the latest advancements in anterior and lateral approaches to the lumbar spine.

In 2023, Dr. Jeffery Beecher and his team showcased the profound impact of advanced neurosurgical techniques. Their successful removal of a tumor from U.S. Marine Jocelyn Harris, stationed at Camp LeJeune, emphasizes the life-changing potential of medical innovation. Dive into the full story here:
➡ https://atlanticbrainandspine.com/how-advanced-neurosurgery-saved-this-lance-corporal/

Recently, Dr. Thomas delivered an insightful presentation at the 2024 Spine Summit. His engaging lunch-n-learn session delved into the transformative realm of Excelsius XLIF®: How Robotics & Advanced Neuromonitoring are Changing the Game.

Dr. J Alex Thomas was named visionary of minimally invasive spine surgery at the 2023 Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery conference. Read more about this accomplishment: 🏆
➡ https://atlanticbrainandspine.com/2023-smiss-conference/

In September of 2021, Dr. J Alex Thomas published a landmark study in the Spine Journal, alongside colleagues from other acclaimed institutions. Learn more about this study:
➡ https://atlanticbrainandspine.com/new-study-shows-innovative-single-position-technique-improves-outcomes-for-patients/

We recognize that each patient comes to us with a specific set of needs and circumstances. That’s why we partner with excellent innovators and leaders in the field of medical technology, such as NuVasive. Learn more about NuVasive in our blog: ➡ https://atlanticbrainandspine.com/tailoring-the-procedure-to-the-patient-a-new-approach-to-spine-surgery/

Through Lateral lumbar Interbody Fusion, minimally invasive surgeries just got easier for patients and practitioners thanks to the work brought forth by Dr. J Alex Thomas and his colleagues. Learn more: https://atlanticbrainandspine.com/innovative-surgical-technique-improves-operation-efficiency-and-patient-outcomes/

Kudos to one of our accomplished surgeons, Dr. Huffmon. He was recently in Charleston sharing his expertise in robotic surgery. His dedication to teaching robotic spine surgery courses around the country emphasizes our commitment to the advancement of neurosurgical techniques in the industry far and wide.

Dr. Thomas is part of an international team that just published the largest series in the literature of lateral lumbar Interbody fusion (i.e. LLIF or XLIF) at L4/5. This study of over 500 patients shows a near zero short-term rate of neurological injuries after LLIF with no injuries persisting at one year. Says Dr. Thomas: “this is a landmark study because not only is it the largest study of LLIF in the literature to date, it also clearly shows that the notion that LLIF may be risky at L4/5 is simply not true. This study shows that with proper surgical technique and patient selection, LLIF is in fact the safest way to do a spinal fusion at the L4/5 level.” For more information regarding LLIF visit SpinalConfusion.com or call 910-763-3333 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas’s team.

👋 Meet Dr. J Alex Thomas, a Pioneer in Single Position Spinal Surgery (SPSS). Read our blog to learn more about SPSS and how it is shaping the future of spinal procedures: ➡ https://atlanticbrainandspine.com/dr-j-alex-thomas-a-pioneer-in-single-position-spinal-surgery/

UPDATE: Effective November 1st, Dr. Beecher has moved over to our Ashton Dr. location.
📍2800 Ashton Dr. Wilmington, NC 28412
For more information, give us a call:
Ashton Dr. - 910.799.2262
17th St. - 910.763.3333

Lateral Single-Position Surgery (LSPS) is a technique that allows for shorter surgeries and faster recoveries. Read more ⬇️


Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Retired Marine is recovering with less pain, thanks to new form of surgery The difference between his two operations, almost 30 years apart, was immediately clear.

Thank you Brainlab! We are thrilled and proud to offer some of the most advanced care in the world, facilitated by these cutting-edge technologies.

"Last month, neurosurgeon Jeffrey Beecher, DO and his team at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina successfully completed the world’s first implementation of Brainlab Digital O.R. integration technology along with Aesculap (US)’s AEOS Robotic Exoscope in a neurointerventional hybrid operating room. The surgery took place in the medical center's newly constructed Neurointerventional Hybrid O.R. Suite. The procedure was a cranio-orbitozygomatic approach for the exploration of a previously clipped anterior communicating artery aneurysm with intraoperative angiography.

Brainlab Digital O.R. technology serves as a backbone for operating rooms and was used to route video, including the robotic 3D exoscope, to all the monitors, and document the phases of this momentous operation. The suite was custom-built for the Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery and Endovascular Neurosurgery team on staff, and our technology enables them to see the right information at the right time throughout all procedures.

Congratulations to the team!"

An outstanding achievement by one of our neurosurgeons at Atlantic Brain and Spine. Dr. Alex Thomas not only provided the introduction for this world-renowned publication, but has authored 7 articles as well. You can read about his expertise in spinal surgery in the link below:
➡ https://atlanticbrainandspine.com/dr-j-alex-thomas-a-pioneer-in-single-position-spinal-surgery/
European Spine Journal - Worldwide Excellence in Evidence

When action meets compassion, lives change for the better.
Link to video below ⬇️
Congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Beecher, who has received Novant Health’s “Guardian Angel” pin in gratitude for his selfless care and treatment towards patients. Dr. Beecher was awarded this honor when an impressed and recovered former patient decided to make a charitable contribution to the Novant Health Foundation, in his name. Thank you, Dr. Beecher, for being a part of our team of professionals.
Watch the full video here:
➡ https://vimeo.com/capslive/review/761220511/462fd47f37

Atlantic Brain and Spine updated their website address.

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Dr. Alex Thomas was a lead author in a recently published study regarding “Single-position” anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and pedicle screw fixation. In this study Single position lateral decubitus Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) and posterior fusion reduces complications and improves perioperative outcomes compared with traditional anterior-posterior lumbar fusion – A multicenter study, published in the most recent issue of The Spine Journal (link to abstract here: https://lnkd.in/eb8cHM-s) there was a dramatic improvement in patient outcomes for patients undergoing lateral single-position surgery (LSPS) at L4/5 and L5/S1 when compared to traditional dual-position cases.

By avoiding patient repositioning between various stages of the case, LSPS allows for significant increases in operating room (OR) efficiency. This translates into less time under anesthesia for the patient, less blood loss and shorter hospital stays. Also, as seen in the study, because of less time under anesthesia and because of less abdominal retraction compared to traditional anterior spinal surgery, patients had much lower incidence of ileus, a significant complication in which the patient’s bowels temporarily stop functioning after surgery. These landmark results were also presented at the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting today in Boston.

Dr. Thomas pioneered the strategy of LSPS at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC and teaches the technique to surgeons from around the world. For more information see Atlanticneurosurgery.com or spinalconfusion.com

24. Lateral decubitus single position circumferential fusion (ALIF & PSF) improves perioperative outcomes compared to traditional anterior-posterior fusion Lateral decubitus single position anterior-posterior (AP) fusion utilizing anterior lumbar interbody fusion and percutaneous posterior fixation (SPS) …