Watched today for the first time an online "live" single-level lumbar ADR operation lasting about 100 minutes at a USA hospital in early 2005- The Beth Israel Hospital in which a Charite disc (there are several different designs in common used worldwide) was implanted in a middle-aged female. The video can be seen at any time at-
http://www.or-live.com/bethisrael/1245/
The skill required by the surgeon is clear to see particularly in the preparation of the patient's disc-space by clearing out all of the old disc and then the care with which the top and bottom plates of the titanium artificial disc are sited with great accuracy before the plastic core is inserted. The doctor commentating stressed that the op is not suitable for everyone and that those with scoliosis (me) are not suitable candidates! That was just a single-level ADR and I can't imagine how much greater is the complexity of a 3-level ADR (which is what I need). As a advert for the hospital the broadcast was impressive and I imagine their phones were red hot with prospective new customers. I couldn't see any report of how this patient has fared since the operation. Having seen the way in which the device is implanted I can imagine removal of a failed device is horrendous.