News Digest News Digest (February 25, 2005)

Surgical breakthrough

Two surgeons at ValleyCare Medical Center were the first in Northern California to use resorbable implants in spinal fusion surgery, the hospital reported. Drs. Kevin Booth and Joseph Grant performed the surgery Wednesday morning, using an artificial disc replacement that will ultimately dissipate in the body, through normal biochemical processes.

Normally a metal plate is permanently inserted in the vertebrae for stabilization during surgery for degenerative or traumatic instability of the cervical spine. The plate is inserted between the vertebrae for stabilization while bone is placed between the vertebrae for fusion to occur.

Since the metal plate is permanent, it can interfere with an MRI or can cause problems in swallowing. The new resorbable implants stabilize the spine while fusion takes place but reduce or eliminate these problems.

Medtronic Inc. received FDA approval of the latest resorbable implants and asked Booth and Grant to participate in the evaluations. Parenting skills

Rick Phillips, a nationally recognized speaker on youth development, will present an interactive workshop from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow entitled, "Applying the 40 Assets to Raising Capable and Caring Children." It is a follow-up to a presentation by Clay Roberts last fall to help parents strengthen their relationship with their children, including such skills as asking open-ended questions to deepen communication.

This free workshop will be held in the Amador Valley High School library and is offered by Amador Valley Adult and Community Education. Credit is available for teachers. Call 426-4280. Cash for college

Las Positas College's Financial Aid Office is hosting a free Cash for College workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, to help students file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study and student loans can help cover the cost of fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses.

For more information or to find out what to bring to the workshop, call 373-5816 or visit www.laspositascollege.edu.

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