Neurosurgery
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Innovation in medicine has led to advances directly benefitting patients. Yet recent legislation has created intense scrutiny of the relationship between surgeons and industry. Critics argue that surgeon-held patents and royalties incentivize surgeon loyalty, influencing decision making as to which devices are used intraoperatively. ⋯ The fields in which patents are held include tumor (125), spine (98), vascular (54), trauma (27), stereotaxy/image guidance (88), pain (19), peripheral nerve (2), electrical stimulation (63), and pediatrics (9); surgical instruments (59), drug delivery (17), and other (21) account for the remainder. The total amount of royalties received by neurosurgeons in 2010 is expected to be $13,223,000 (minimum: $7K, maximum: $8.261M). Despite public and legislative perceptions of widespread conflicts of interest, there are relatively few neurosurgeons who hold patents and receive significant royalties.