Dubai Bone and Joint Center Pioneers Spinal Fusion Surgery Using AxiaLIF Technique for First Time in Region

Dubai: 20 May, 2009 - The Dubai Bone and Joint Center (DBAJ), the first and only center for musculoskeletal treatment and research in the Middle East, today announced it has successfully performed a minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery (MISS) using the Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (AxiaLIF) technique for the first time in the region.

DBAJ is located in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), the world's most integrated healthcare free zone and a member of Tatweer.

The surgery was led by DBAJ-based expert, Dr. Zbiggy Brodzinsky, with the assistance of Dr. Vicenc Gilete from the Barcelona Spine Center.

AxiaLIF enables surgeons to perform lumbar fusion surgery without major dissections of the surrounding spinal soft tissue. In a short period of time, AxiaLIF has demonstrated a change in the way spinal fusion surgeries are performed while revolutionizing patient care by dramatically reducing recovery period.

TranS1, a publicly held medical device company listed on the NASDAQ in the US, has pioneered AxiaLIF, an innovative trans-sacral approach to lumbar surgery for the treatment of low back pain (LBP). The AxiaLIF System includes surgical instruments for creating a safe and reproducible pre-sacral access route to the L5 - S1 vertebral bodies.

The AxiaLIF technique features novel instrumentation to enable standard of care fusion principles, distraction and stabilization of the anterior lumbar column while mitigating the soft tissue trauma associated with traditional lumbar fusion through open surgical incisions.

Suzanne Al Houby, Vice-President of DBAJ, said: "The Dubai Bone and Joint Center operates on high standards of quality, excellence and innovation in line with the DHCC standards to ensure promising results. Our objective is to provide the best medical care through adopting pioneering techniques that optimize quicker patient recovery."

Dr. Zbiggy J. Brodzinsky, MD, said: "The successful operation was facilitated by the use of AxiaLIF/TranS1, a minimally invasive technique. The device is inserted through a tiny incision, which allows for the damaged disc to be removed. Previous approaches to this process required surgeons to cut through numerous muscles and nerves to reach the disc space. The AxiaLIF procedure requires only a one-inch incision near the tailbone and avoids the need to damage other tissues, which has lessened complications.

"The duration of surgery is less than an hour with AxiaLIF compared to the usual time that is four times longer. It also reduces the hospital stay dramatically, as patients can be released from the hospital a day after the surgery. Under normal course, this could run to three to four nights, followed by a one- to two-month recovery period."

The lumbar fusion surgery through the Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (AxiaLIF) technique for the first time in the region comes as part of the DBAJ's endeavor to remain as the centre for medical excellence that spearheads advanced techniques in patient care.

In March, Dr Michael van Steijn, Orthopedic Surgeon at the Dubai Bone and Joint Center successfully performed a pioneering computer-assisted total knee replacement procedure, setting a new regional benchmark in the treatment of debilitating medical conditions.

For further information on AxiaLIF, visit the following link: www.trans1.com

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About Dubai Bone & Joint Center (DBAJ):
The Dubai Bone and Joint Center (DBAJ) is the first and only medical center that provides services to the need for musculoskeletal treatment and research in the Middle East. Equipped with world-class specialists and state-of-the-art medical facilities, DBAJ gives patients suffering from bone and joint disorders, an opportunity to receive the most advanced musculoskeletal treatment and a chance to live a pain free life.

Endeavoring to offer residents and expatriates in the Middle East with high quality treatment and the latest evidence-based and innovative medicinal procedures comparable to international healthcare standards, DBAJ is a committed associate of the government's efforts to develop Dubai into a 'Center of Medical Excellence' for the region.

The center addresses various conditions ranging from children and adult spinal conditions, pelvic and acetabular fractures, reconstructive surgery, and rheumatology. It also offers total joint arthroplasty, revision total joint arthroplasty, limb lengthening and limb deformity correction, infective non-union surgery, foot deformities, neuromuscular disorders and sports medicine.

Located in Dubai Healthcare City, DBAJ reinforces DHCC's objective of creating an integrated regional center of excellence for medical services, medical education and life science research and development in the Middle East as well as enhancing its image as preferred global destination for quality healthcare.

About DHCC:
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is envisioned to become the internationally recognized location of choice for quality healthcare and an integrated regional center of excellence for clinical and wellness services, medical education and life science research in the Middle East. DHCC is the world's first healthcare free zone planned to be built in phases. The first phase of 4.1 million square feet is now operational with a medical cluster comprised of day-care and outpatient clinics, diagnostic centers, rehabilitation centers, transplantation centers, hospitals and a sector for pharmaceutical and equipment suppliers.

DHCC is home to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center with its fully integrated five entities in Phase 1: University Hospital, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center- Institute for Postgraduate Education and Research (HMSDC), Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR), Al Maktoum Harvard Medical Library, and Boston University Institute for Research and Education.

Some other renowned partners of the medical cluster are - Dubai Bone & Joint Center (DBAJ), The City Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Center, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Swiss Academy of Scientific Acupuncture, Dr. Nicolas & ASP and the German Heart Center, Wyeth, Sanofi Aventis, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Smith & Nephew, Fresenius Medical Care, Novo Nordisk, among others.

The second phase will feature a dedicated wellness cluster comprised of Wellness centers, Nutrition centers, Resorts, Spas, and Sports Medicine facilities.

About Tatweer
Tatweer is a member of Dubai Holding and one of the largest and fastest growing business conglomerates in the region. Tatweer's name is synonymous with some of the largest developments in Dubai and an equally extensive portfolio of prestigious projects in the pipeline.

Launched in December 2005, Tatweer owns and manages a strategic group of entities across six diverse industry verticals: Leisure and Entertainment, Commodities, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Real Estate.

Tatweer currently focuses on project development within the UAE and advance strategic long term partnerships such as Partners-Harvard Medical International; the internationally renowned golfer Tiger Woods; IRCA Global, and Universal Studios.

Tatweer's entities comprise Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), Dubailand®, The Tiger Woods Dubai, Bawadi®, Dubai Industrial City, Global Village, IRCA Middle East, Mizin, and Dubai Mercantile Exchange.

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