Contents

 Commentary

n MESSAGE FROM THE MEDICAL EDITOR
Empowering Patients 
Stuart M. Weinstein, MD

n FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
Syntegration: A Knowledge Based Approach to the Practice of Medicine 

Thomas J. Errico, MD

 Current Concepts

n INVITED REVIEW
The Role of Bioresorbable Products in Spinal Surgery 
Matthew M. Robbins, BA; Gregg Anderson, MD; Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD

n CURVE/COUNTERCURVE
Discectomy: Endoscopic Foraminal or Standard Transcanal? 
Anthony T. Yeung, MD; John W. German, MD; Kevin T. Foley, MD; Jeffrey C. Wang, MD

n LITERATURE REVIEW
New from the Journals 
Paul M. Arnold, MD; Gert K. Polzhofer, MD; Inneke H. Drespe; Jonathan N. Grauer, MD; Alexander Vaccaro, MD; David Bagnall, MD; Robert J. Gatchel, PhD

n ABSTRACT REVIEW
NASS Annual Meeting Abstracts 
Michael Schaufele, MD; Scott Boden, MD

 Socioeconomics & Politics

n PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Advanced Beneficiary Notices 
Annette Grady, CPC, CPC-H

n CODING Q & A
Clarifying Fluoroscopic Guidance Codes 76003 and 76005 
Christopher Standaert, MD

n ETHICAL/LEGAL
The State of Professional Courtesy 
Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, MD, JD; Howard Morgan, MD, MA

n ADVOCACY/LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS/PAC
Medicare Reform Establishes Competitive Bidding for Carrier Contracts 
Tom Faciszewski, MD

 NASS News