Spine Surgeons Scrutinized for Ties to Device Company

The relationship between spine surgeons and medical device makers is coming under increased scrutiny thanks to an ongoing congressional investigation into Medtronic's payments to physicians and a federal lawsuit that alleges more than 110 U.S. doctors received more than $8 million in "sham" consulting fees from the company in 2006.

The federal suit, filed last year by two former Medtronic employees, raises questions about whether the payments surgeons received from the Minnesota-based device company influenced their decisions about how to treat patients with back pain. The suit also accuses the physicians of overusing Medtronic's bone protein, Infuse. Medtronic settled a similar whistleblower suit in 2006.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the spine surgeons named in the suit say their financial relationship with Medtronic has not influenced whether they choose to pursue surgery and use Medtronic products to treat patients. Company spokeswoman Marybeth Thorsgaard adds, "Medtronic has rigorous processes designed to ensure that all physician compensation is fair, relative to current market values, and is fully compliant with the law."

But some surgeons are skeptical of the practice. Dennis Mollman, MD, a former Twin Cities spine surgeon, told the Pioneer Press, "I don't care how upright you are, if you're taking significant cash it's going to cloud what you perceive to be the best way to treat a patient."

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who launched an investigation last year into payments Medtronics spine division made to several doctors, has proposed legislation that would require medical device and drug companies to publicly disclose their payments to physicians.

—Irene Tsikitas