The World-Renowned
Founders & Pioneers of ASC by Drs. ABC - 100% Back Muscle Preservation Surgery
Founders & Pioneers of ASC by Drs. ABC - 100% Back Muscle Preservation Surgery
An internationally renowned surgeon, Dr. Antonacci has extensive surgical experience in adults and children, with particular specialization in scoliosis surgery, as well as extensive experience in complex reconstructive neck and spine surgery. He is considered one of the Top Spine Surgeons in NJ and NY, and as the pioneer of ASC, the preeminent surgeon for ASC internationally. From 2001 to 2015 Dr. Antonacci operated mostly in Manhattan at Lenox Hill Hospital and Mount Sinai University Hospital. Since approximately 2015/16, Dr. Antonacci has performed his ASC by Drs. ABC surgeries at Saint Peters University Hospital in NJ (approx. 20 minutes from Newark Int’l Airport), where both his adult and pediatric patients for the most part are allowed to stay in private ICU rooms their entire stay. A graduate of Georgetown University, and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Antonacci is the youngest of six siblings, five of whom are medical doctors, and one who has a doctorate in education. Dr. Antonacci has three college level children of his own.
Dr. Betz is a nationally recognized surgeon with over 30 years of experience in caring for children and adults with problems of the spine, including scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, fused vertebrae, neuromuscular scoliosis, and other spine-related conditions.
Dr. Randal Betz began his career caring for both children and adults, but for the past 25 years has been entirely dedicated to the treatment of children and adolescents with pediatric spine problems. His particular expertise and passion is developing and offering the newest treatment options. In addition to his expertise in management of spine disorders, Dr. Randal Betz is internationally recognized for his expertise in pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI). Over the last 20 years, he has advanced medical and rehabilitation approaches for children with SCI, particularly in the areas of neuromuscular scoliosis, hip subluxation and dislocation, upper extremity tendon transfers, and functional electrical stimulation for restoring upper and lower extremity function, as well as bowel and bladder.
Dr. Cuddihy is a fully trained spine surgeon, having completed her fellowship in spine surgery under Dr. Randal Betz and Dr. Antonacci at the prestigious Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, PA.
She currently practices as a member of the Institute for Spine and Scoliosis, and is a primary surgical assistant to Dr. Antonacci, performing surgery at both the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York and the University Medical Center at Princeton. Having Dr. Cuddihy as the first surgical assistant to Dr. Antonacci further emphasizes the level of surgical care his patients receive. This means that Dr. Antonacci does not use residents or fellows in training, or physician assistants as his first assistant in surgery, thus providing a standard of expertise in surgical care not typically matched elsewhere. Dr. Cuddihy is continually involved in research and with Dr. Antonacci has contributed to the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS), International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) in Copenhagen, the North American Spine Society, the medical journal SPINE, and the Scoliosis Research Society in Kyoto, Japan.
Our surgeons specialize in Anterior Scoliosis Correction (ASC) surgery, a state-of-the-art procedure designed to correct scoliosis while preserving spinal mobility. Unlike traditional methods, our approach aims to maintain as much of the spine’s natural movement as possible.
While any surgery carries risks, our team’s expertise and the advanced techniques we use significantly minimize potential complications. Our success rates are high, and revision rates are low, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of our procedures.
Our minimally invasive ASC surgery typically results in faster recovery times compared to more traditional methods. Most of our patients can return to normal activities within six to eight weeks post-surgery.
Our approach to scoliosis correction focuses not just on function but also on aesthetics. We aim to achieve a correction that looks as natural as possible, minimizing visible signs of surgery.
We employ modern pain management techniques to ensure patient comfort during and after the procedure. Post-operative pain is typically well-controlled, and most patients experience significant relief from their pre-operative scoliosis-related pain.
Our team believes in empowering patients with accurate information, allowing them to make informed decisions about their health. We’re always here to answer your questions and address your concerns, helping to dispel misconceptions about scoliosis surgery and illuminate the path toward improved spinal health.
Have Dr. Antonacci and his team Personally Review Your Case
To have Dr. Antonacci and his team personally review your case, please fill out our ASC Case Review form (est. 5 min to complete the form). After Doctors’s review, a staff member from Dr. Antonacci’s office will contact you (typically within 48 hours) for more information about your condition or to schedule an appointment. If it is deemed you are a surgical candidate for ASC by Drs. ABC, a courtesy consult with Dr. Betz will be arranged, and then a courtesy zoom with Dr. Antonacci will be arranged if proceeding.
