DePuy Spine, Inc has launched the Expedium vertebral body derotation (VBD) set to help surgeons correct spinal alignment and decrease rib rotation in patients with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine that affects about six million people in the US.

The new instrumentation is the latest addition to the Expedium Spine System and features the Expedium derotation quick stick, an extension to pedicle screws that attaches quickly and securely to facilitate three-dimensional spine correction. The instruments in the Expedium VBD Set give surgeons the ability to link and manipulate multiple vertebral bodies at once for efficient En-Bloc or Segmental derotation maneuvers.

"Rib prominence is often the main concern for scoliosis patients and their parents so derotation is a very important part of the surgery," said Randal R Betz, one of the design surgeons who helped develop the Expedium VBD Set and past president of the Scoliosis Research Society. "However, derotation can be challenging and complex. This new instrumentation is designed to streamline the process and to help produce an excellent clinical and cosmetic result."

The flexible design of the Expedium VBD Set accommodates each surgeon's preferred derotation technique as well as the specific scoliosis characteristics of each patient. The instrumentation is also compatible with the Viper System for minimally-invasive surgery, allowing surgeons to combine open and minimally-invasive techniques, if desired.

The Expedium family of products features a variety of instruments and implants designed to enhance speed, security and simplicity in treating spinal deformity. DePuy Spine continues to build on this heritage by developing new products that fill clinical needs, address a wide range of surgical preferences and techniques and help improve patient outcomes.

DePuy Spine has worked and partnered with leading clinicians, researchers, and thought leaders to develop products to treat spine disorders for over 20 years.