Andrew K. Simpson, MD, MBA
Chief of Spine Surgery
UT Southwestern
Andrew K. Simpson, MD, MBA is the Chief of Spine Surgery and the Director of the Spine Center at UT Southwestern. He was previously the Chief of Spine surgery at Harvard. He is a world leading expert on minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery.
Dr. Simpson attended medical school at Yale and received his surgical training at Harvard. He trained internationally with the world’s top authorities on endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery procedures. He has published / presented over 100 scientific articles, abstracts, and textbook chapters, with a focus on minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery.
Education / Training
- Yale - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Yale - Masters in Health Sciences (MHS)
- Harvard - Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
- Emory - Spine Surgery Fellowship
- MIT - Master in Business Administration (MBA)
Editorial Activities
- Spine
- The Spine Journal
- European Spine Journal
- Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
Scientific Articles and Publications
Publications
- Simpson AK, Cholewicki J, Grauer J. Chronic Low Back Pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2006 Dec;10(6):431-6. Pubmed PMID: 17087868.
- Waked WR, Simpson AK, Miller CP, Magit DP, Grauer JN. Sterilization wrap inspections do not adequately evaluate instrument sterility. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2007 Sep;462:207-11. PubMed PMID: 17452915.
- Magit DP, Hilibrand AS, Kirk J, Rechtine G, Albert TJ, Vaccaro AR, Simpson AK, Grauer JN. Questionnaire study of neuromonitoring availability and usage for spine surgery. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2007 Jun;20(4):282-9. PubMed PMID: 17538352.
- Panjabi MM, Simpson AK, Ivancic PC, Pearson AM, Tominaga Y, Yue JJ. Cervical facet joint kinematics during bilateral facet dislocation. Eur Spine J. 2007 Oct;16(10):1680-8. Epub 2007 Jun 14. PubMed PMID: 17566792; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2078308.
- Hammouri QM, Haims AH, Simpson AK, Alqaqa A, Grauer JN. The utility of dynamic flexion-extension radiographs in the initial evaluation of the degenerative lumbar spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007 Oct 1;32(21):2361-4. PubMed PMID: 17906579.
- Hammouri QM, Simpson AK, Grauer JN, Rechtine G. From the imaging department: a questionnaire study of the use of radiographs in the evaluation of spine complaints. Spine J. 2007 Nov-Dec;7(6):745-7. Epub 2007 Jun 28. PubMed PMID: 17919984.
- Ivancic PC, Pearson AM, Tominaga Y, Simpson AK, Yue JJ, Panjabi MM. Mechanism of cervical spinal cord injury during bilateral facet dislocation. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007 Oct 15;32(22):2467-73. PubMed PMID: 18090087.
- Erickson BP, Pierce AR, Simpson AK, Nash J, Grauer JN. 125I-labeled OP-1 is locally retained in a rabbit lumbar fusion model. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008 Jan;466(1):210-5. doi: 10.1007/s11999-007-0017-2. Epub 2008 Jan 3. PubMed PMID: 18196395; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2505306.
- Simpson AK, Biswas D, Emerson JW, Lawrence BD, Grauer JN. Quantifying the effects of age, gender, degeneration, and adjacent level degeneration on cervical spine range of motion using multivariate analyses. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008 Jan 15;33(2):183-6. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31816044e8. PubMed PMID: 18197104.
- Bible JE, Biswas D, Whang PG, Simpson AK, Grauer JN. Which regions of the operating gown should be considered most sterile? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009 Mar;467(3):825-30. doi: 10.1007/s11999-008-0341-1. Epub 2008 Jul 1. PubMed PMID: 18592330; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2635444.
- Biswas D, Bible JE, Whang PG, Simpson AK, Grauer JN. Sterility of C-arm fluoroscopy during spinal surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008 Aug 1;33(17):1913-7. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817bb130. PubMed PMID: 18622356.
- Bible JE, Simpson AK, Emerson JW, Biswas D, Grauer JN. Quantifying the effects of degeneration and other patient factors on lumbar segmental range of motion using multivariate analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008 Jul 15;33(16):1793-9. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817b8f3a. PubMed PMID: 18628713.
- Simpson AK, Whang PG, Jonisch A, Haims A, Grauer JN. The radiation exposure associated with cervical and lumbar spine radiographs. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2008 Aug;21(6):409-12. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0b013e3181568656. PubMed PMID: 18679095.
- Bible JE, Biswas D, Whang PG, Simpson AK, Rechtine GR, Grauer JN. Postoperative bracing after spine surgery for degenerative conditions: a questionnaire study. Spine J. 2009 Apr;9(4):309-16. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2008.06.453. Epub 2008 Sep 14. PubMed PMID: 18790685.
- Ivancic PC, Pearson AM, Tominaga Y, Simpson AK, Yue JJ, Panjabi MM. Biomechanics of cervical facet dislocation. Traffic Inj Prev. 2008 Dec;9(6):606-11. doi: 10.1080/15389580802344804. PubMed PMID: 19058109.
- Simpson AK, Sabino J, Whang P, Emerson JW, Grauer JN. The assessment of cervical foramina with oblique radiographs: the effect of film angle on foraminal area. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2009 Feb;22(1):21-5. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0b013e3181639b62. PubMed PMID: 19190430.
- Whang PG, Simpson AK, Rechtine G, Grauer JN. Current trends in spinal arthroplasty: an assessment of surgeon practices and attitudes regarding cervical and lumbar disk replacement. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2009 Feb;22(1):26-33. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0b013e3181659804. PubMed PMID: 19190431.
- Bible JE, Simpson AK, Biswas D, Pelker RR, Grauer JN. Actual knee motion during continuous passive motion protocols is less than expected. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009 Oct;467(10):2656-61. doi: 10.1007/s11999-009-0766-1. Epub 2009 Feb 27. PubMed PMID: 19247728; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2745449.
- Biswas D, Bible JE, Bohan M, Simpson AK, Whang PG, Grauer JN. Radiation exposure from musculoskeletal computerized tomographic scans. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009 Aug;91(8):1882-9. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.H.01199. PubMed PMID: 19651945.
- Miller CP, Simpson AK, Whang PG, Erickson BP, Waked WR, Lawrence JP, Grauer JN. Effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 on surgical infections in a rabbit posterolateral lumbar fusion model. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2009 Nov;38(11):578-84. PMID: 20049353.
- Naunheim MR, Walcott BP, Nahed BV, Simpson AK, Agarwalla PK, Coumans JV. The quality of randomized controlled trial reporting in spine literature. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Jul 15;36(16):1326-30. Pubmed PMID: 21224750.
- Simpson AK, Osler P, Wood KB. Utility of postoperative radiographs after anterior lumbar interbody fusion with or without posterior instrumentation. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Nov 1;38(23):2038-42. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182a81f67. PubMed PMID: 23963014.
- Ploumis A, Simpson AK, Cha TD, Herzog JP, Wood KB. Coronal Spinal Balance in Adult Spine Deformity Patients with Long Spinal Fusions: A Minimum 2- to 5-Year Follow-up Study. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2015 Nov;28(9):341-7. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0b013e3182aab2ff. PubMed PMID: 24077418.
- Osler P, Kim SD, Hess KA, Phan P, Simpson AK, Mansfield FL, Berger D, Craveiro VL, Wood KB. Prior abdominal surgery is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications after anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 May 1;39(10): E650-6. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000293. PubMed PMID: 24583724.
- Lehmen JA, Deering RM, Simpson AK, Carrier CS, Bono CM. Inconsistencies between abstracts and manuscripts in published studies about lumbar spine surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 May 1;39(10): 841-5. Pubmed PMID: 24583745.
- Gottschalk MB, Premkumar A, Sweeney K, Boden SD, Heller J, Yoon ST, Rhee JM, Leckie SK, Braly B, Simpson AK, Lenehan E. Posterolateral Lumbar Arthrodesis with and without Interbody Arthrodesis for L4-L5 Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Comparative Value Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Jun 15;40(12):917-25. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000856. PubMed PMID: 26070040.
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Iwahashi H, Simpson AK, Yamada H, Hashizume H, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Kagotani R, Sonekatsu M, Sasaki T, Shinto K, Deguchi T. Minimally invasive decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis: Predictive factors of radiographic and clinical outcomes. J Orthop Sci. 2017 May;22(3):377-383. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2016.12.022. Epub 2017 Feb 1. PubMed PMID: 28161236.
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Simpson AK, Yamada H, Hashizume H, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Okada M, Takami M, Nakao SI. Microendoscopic laminotomy versus conventional laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: 5-year follow-up study. J Neurosurg Spine. 2017 Oct;27(4):403-409. doi: 10.3171/2017.2. SPINE16939. Epub 2017 Jul 14. PubMed PMID: 28708041.
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Simpson AK, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Takami M, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Yamada H. Minimally invasive spinal decompression for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and stenosis maintains stability and may avoid the need for fusion. Bone Joint J. 2018 Apr 1;100-B(4):499-506. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.100B4.BJJ-2017-0917.R1. PubMed PMID: 29629597.
- Minamide A, Simpson AK, Okada M, Enyo Y, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Takami M, Nagata K, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Yamada H, Yoshida M. Microendoscopic Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: The Influence of Spondylolisthesis Stage (Disc Height and Static and Dynamic Translation) on Clinical Outcomes. Clin Spine Surg. 2018 Sep 15. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000000710. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30222618.
- Minamide A, Maeda T, Yamada H, Murakami K, Okada M, Enyo Y, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Takami M, Nagata K, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Early versus delayed kyphoplasty for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures: The effect of timing on clinical and radiographic outcomes and subsequent compression fractures. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2018 Oct;173:176-181. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2018.07.019. Epub 2018 Jul 30. PubMed PMID: 30149305.
- Lopez W, Rider SM, Nwosu K, Kazarian E, Blucher J, Schoenfeld E, Simpson A, Kang J, Schoenfeld AJ. The Impact of Vancomycin and Cefazolin as Standard Pre-operative Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Surgical Site Infections Following Instrumented Spinal Fusion. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Aug 7. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002839. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30095798.
- Beck AW, Simpson AK. High Grade Lumbar Spondylolisthesis. Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2019 Jul 30(3):291-298. Pubmed PMID: 31078229.
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Yamada H, Simpson AK. Rethinking Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis. Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2019 Jul 30(3):323-31. Pubmed PMID: 31078233.
- Cronin PK, Ferrone ML, Marso CC, Stieler EK, Beck AW, Blucher JA, Makhni MC, Simpson AK, Harris MB, Schoenfeld AJ. Predicting survival in older patients treated for cervical spine fractures: development of a clinical survival score. Spine J. 2019 Sep 19(9):1490-1497. Pubmed PMID:31125694.
- Lipa SA, Greene N, Reyes AM, Blucher JA, Makhni MC, Simpson AK, Harris MB, Schoenfeld AJ. Prognostic value of laboratory values in older patients treated with cervical spine fractures. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2020 Apr 4:194. Pubmed PMID: 32278269.
- Murata S, Minamide A, Iwasaki H, Nakagawa Y, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Tsutsui S, Takami M, Okada M, Nagata K, Yoshida M, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK, Yamada H. Microendoscopic decompression for lumbosacral foraminal stenosis: a novel surgical strategy based on anatomic considerations using three dimensional image fusion with magnetic resonance imaging / computed tomography. J Neurosurg Spine. 2020 Aug 7;1-7. Pubmed PMID: 32764174.
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Nagata K, , Taiji R, Nishi H, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK, Yamada H. Does prophylactic use of topical gelatin-thrombin matrix sealant affect postoperative drainage volume and hematoma formation after microendosocpic spine surgery? A randomized controlled trial. Spine J. 2020 Nov 13: Pubmed PMID: 33189909.
- Lightsey HM, Crawford AM, Xiong GX, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Surgical plans generated from telemedicine visits are rarely changed after in person evaluation in spine patients. Spine J. 2020 Nov 20. Pubmed PMID: 33227550.
- Karhade AV, Bono CM, Makhni MC, Schwab JH, Sethi RK, Simpson AK, Feeley TW, Porter ME. Value-based health care in spine surgery: Where do we go from here? Spine J. 2021 Apr 20:S1529-9430(21)00177-7. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.04.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33857667
- Murata S, Minamide A, Takami M, Iwasaki H, Okada S, Nonaka K, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK, Yamada H. Microendoscopic decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis caused by facet joint cyst: a novel technique with cyst dyeing protocol and cohort comparison study. J Neurosurg Spine. 2021 Jan 15:1-7. doi: 10.3171/2020.8.SPINE201209. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33450739
- Lightsey HM, Crawford AM, Xiong GX, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Telemedicine visits generate accurate surgical plans across orthopaedic subspecialties. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021 Apr 18:1–8. doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-03903-2. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33866406; PMCID: PMC805307
- Xiong GX, Greene N, Lightsey HM, Crawford AM, Simpson AK, Schoenfeld AJ. Telemedicine Use in Orthopaedic Surgery Varies by Race, Ethnicity, Primary Language, and Insurance Status. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000001775. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33982979
- Crawford AM, Lightsey HM, Xiong GX, Striano BM, Greene N, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Interventional procedure plans generated by telemedicine visits in spine patients are rarely changed after in-person evaluation. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2021 Jun;46(6):478-481. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2021-102630. Epub 2021 Mar 23. PMID: 33757998
- Crawford AM, Xiong GX, Striano B, Lightsey HM, Pisano AJ, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Variability and contributions to cost associated with anterior, lateral, and posterior interbody approaches to lumbar fusion. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 May 15;206:106688. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106688. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34015696.
- Striano BM, Xiong GX, Lightsey HM, Crawford AM, Pisano AJ, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Comparison of radiation exposure between anterior, lateral, and posterior interbody fusion techniques and the influence of patient and procedural factors. Spine. Accepted
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Nagata K, , Taiji R, Nishi H, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK, Yamada H. Long-term outcomes of microendoscopic laminotomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: A 5 year follow up study compared with cervical laminoplasty. Clin Spine Surg. Accepted.
- Simpson AK, Lightsey HM, Xiong GX, Crawford AM, Minamide A, Schoenfeld AJ. Spinal endoscopy: Evidence, techniques, global trends, and future projections. Spine J. Accepted
- Striano BM, Xiong GX, Lightsey HM, Crawford AM, Pisano AJ, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. ALIF versus TLIF for L5-S1 Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: A comparative analysis of radiographic and clinical outcomes. CNN. In Review
- Agarronik N, Xiong GX, Lightsey HM, Crawford AM, Simpson AK, Schoenfeld AJ. The role of gender in academic productivity, impact, and leadership among academic spine surgeons. Spine J. In Review
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Nagata K, Taiji R, Nishi H, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK, Yamada H. The efficacy of microendoscopic lumbar decompression for lumbar stenosis from adjacent segment disease following lumbar fusion surgery. Global Spine J. In Review
- Minamide A, Yoshida M, Hashizume H, Yukawa Y, Nakagawa Y, Iwasaki H, Tsutsui S, Nagata K, Taiji R, Nishi H, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK, Yamada H. Long-term outcomes after selective microendoscopic laminotomy for multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis with and without remaining radiographic stenosis: A 10 year follow-up study. Clin Spine Surgery. In Review
- Takami M, Tsutsui S, Yukawa Y, Hashizume H, Minamide A, Iwasaki H, Nagata K, Taiji R, Murata S, Kozaki T, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK, Yamada H. Lateral interbody osteotomy via transpsoas approach in adult spinal deformity surgery: a preliminary report of a new lumbar reconstruction strategy. Global Spine J. In Review
- Karhade A, Makhni M, Schwab J, Simpson AK, Chen AC. Home hospital for orthopaedic surgery: opportunities and challenges of this new delivery model. JBJS. In Review
- Lindsey, M, Karhade A, Lightsey HM Crawford AM, Xiong GX, Striano B, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Variability and contributions to cost associated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion constructs. CNN. Submitted
Other Peer-Reviewed Scholarship
- Simpson AK, Whang PG. Biswas D, Grauer JN. Iso-C3D Imaging System. Seminars in Spine Surgery. 2008;20:203–208.
- Simpson AK, Harrod C, White AP. Lateral Lumbar Trans-Psoas Interbody Fusion. Techniques in Orthopaedics: September 2011;26(3) p 156–165. doi: 10.1097/BTO.0b013e31822ce27
- Wood KB, Simpson AK, and Ploumis A. When Is Surgery Indicated for Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures? Seminars in Spine Surgery. 2012; 24: 235–239
Book Chapters and Review Articles
- Lightsey HM, Crawford AM, Xiong GX, Schoenfeld AJ, Simpson AK. Spine Surgery: Minimally invasive and endoscopic approaches. In: Clinical Guide to Musculoskeletal Medicine. Springer, 2021, Chapter 13.
- Simpson AK, Zigler, JE. Failed Total Disc Arthroplasty. In: Garfin SR, Eismont FJ, Bell GR, et al eds. Rothman-Simeone The Spine. Elsevier, 2018, Chapter 104, 1889-1901
- Simpson AK, Whang P, Grauer JN. Biological Approaches to Spinal Fusion In: Pietrczak WS, Eppley B, eds. Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration: Biological Materials and Methods. Humana Press, 2008, Chapter 12, 247-258.
- Simpson AK, Grauer JN, Whang PG.Far Lateral Disc Herniations In: Shen FH, Shaffrey CI, eds. Spine: Arthritis and Arthroplasty Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 15, 115-121.
- Simpson AK, Whang PG, Hong J, Ploumis A, Vaccaro A. Thoracolumbar Fractures In: Lin V, Bono C, Cardenas D, Frost F, et al. eds. Spinal Cord Medicine: Principles and Practice. Demos Medical, 2010, Chapter 15, 202-214.
- Simpson AK and Harris MB. Cervical Spine Clearance. In: Sethi MK, Jahangir AA, Obremsky WT, eds. Orthopaedic Traumatology: An Evidence Based Approach. Springer, 2012, Chapter 2, 23-40.
- Simpson AK, Kerr S, White AP. Cervical Myelopathy: Posterior Approach. In: Anderson D, Vaccaro A, eds. Decision Making in Spinal Care. Thieme 2013, Chapter 20, 141-148.
- Kerr S, Simpson AK, White AP. Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Compression Fractures. In: Anderson D, Vaccaro A, eds. Decision Making in Spinal Care. Thieme 2013, Chapter 11, 77-84.
- Harrod C, Simpson AK, Vaccaro A. Anterior Thoracic Discectomy and Corpectomy. In: Vaccaro A, Baron E, eds. Operative Techniques: Spine Surgery. Elsevier 2012, Chapter 16, 144-157.
- Simpson AK, Whang P, Bible JE, Grauer JN. Bone Substitutes Advanced Concepts. In: Vaccaro AR, Benzel EC, Pinheiro-Franco JL, eds. Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease.
- Simpson AK, Harrod CC, White AP. Lateral Lumbar Trans-Psoas Interbody Fusion Techniques In: Bono CM, Chao S, eds. Orthopaedics: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.
- Simpson AK and Harris MB. Spine Trauma Global Surgery Hughes C, Farmer P, eds.
- Simpson AK and Cha T, Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction. In: Vaccaro A et al. eds The Spine.
Report of Technological and Other Scientific Innovations
Patent – US Patent # 11,076,920 – Instrumentation and Surgical Method for Image-Guided Microendoscopic Decompression
Video Logs
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Meet Andrew Simpson, MD, Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
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Dr. Andrew Simpson Discussing Endoscopic & Microendoscopic Surgery.