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Biography

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Mario Zotti is an orthopaedic and spinal surgeon with dual Australian spine fellowship training and an honorary adjunct assistant professor at Bond University. His clinical and research interests including conditions of the spinal column, including degenerative disease affecting the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) regions and disorders of the sacroiliac joint and multifidus muscle.

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After completing medical school in Melbourne where he won the prize for Medicine/Surgery at Monash University, Asst./Prof. Zotti went on to complete specialist orthopaedic training in South Australia including 2 years of involvement in Adult and Paediatric spinal units through the Royal Adelaide Hospital (combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Unit), Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Women’s and Children’s hospital. During this time he became a clinical lecturer at the University of Adelaide, completed a Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics) and a diploma in Surgical Anatomy. He was also awarded the Australian Orthopaedic Registrar Travelling Fellowship (Spine) which he undertook in 2015. During his orthopaedic training he had a high volume of general orthopaedic extremity trauma caseload.

 

Upon becoming a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, he then completed a Postgraduate Fellowship in Spinal Surgery (reconstructive including disc replacement arthroplasty) in the Gold Coast. Dr Zotti also completed Post-Fellowship training in and exposure to revision spine surgery, complex spine deformities, trauma and emergency conditions (infection / tumor) and pain neuromodulation by senior spinal surgeons at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

 

During 2018 he also visited and received instruction from leaders in minimally invasive and robotic- assisted correction of degenerative and deformity conditions in North America. Culmination of instruction from these visitations was performing the first robotic assisted spine surgery in Queensland in 2019 and first Mazor X robotic spine case in Australia. Dr Zotti was also the first spinal surgeon in Queensland to perform disc biacuplasty, basivertebral nerve ablation and micro-endoscopic discectomy [DiscFx] procedures - all state of the art and minimally invasive procedures for low back pain.

A wide range of experience and training enables Dr Zotti to apply the optimal technique from a range of options to the individual and their spinal conditions (when required).

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Asst/Prof. Zotti integrates clinical expertise with the current best evidence from the literature. Having been awarded a Master of Surgery in Orthopaedics, published several book chapters and having won several awards for his research which has been published in peer reviewed surgical journals, Asst/Prof. Zotti regularly presents at national and international meetings. He has memberships with several organisations dedicated to spinal problems and their treatment (Spine Society of Australia, North American Spine Society, Orthopaedic Research Society - Spine section, AO Spine, Asia Pacific Spine Society) and is a reviewer for several spinal journals. He has also been regularly involved in teaching on orthopaedic and surgical conditions at an undergraduate and postgraduate level (including trainee surgeons), refereeing masters papers and has the gratifying experience of seeing his supervised students and trainees win awards. He has been involved in publishing or presenting around 40 different articles relating to Orthopaedics and Spine.

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This contemporary and comprehensive professional involvement allows Asst/Prof. Zotti to combine what is important to you as an individual with a precise, balanced and current evidence-based view of your spinal condition. Dr Zotti believes that being exposed to a wide range of specialist opinions and techniques to treat common problems in his training avoids the single minded approach that spinal surgery has traditionally been criticised for and enjoys discussion with colleagues regarding challenging cases, when required.

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Asst/Prof. Zotti is pleased to offer a comprehensive spine service at John Flynn Private Hospital. He also remains on the call roster for general orthopaedic trauma at John Flynn Private Hospital. While medico-legal work is not the emphasis of his practice, he is also a certified independent examiner being a member of the American board of independent medical examiners.

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Education & Training
Memberships

2007

MBBS with 1st Class Honours

Monash University

2008

Postgraduate diploma of Surgical Anatomy 

University of Adelaide

2013-2017

Orthopaedic Surgery SET (surgical education and training),

South Australian scheme

2015

Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics), University of Adelaide

Travelling Spine Fellowship (Victoria and Queensland)

2018

Postgraduate Fellowship and Education Training (PFET) Fellowship in Spinal Surgery, Pindara Private Hospital, Gold Coast

Robotic Spine Visitations (North America)

2021

AOA Fellowship in Spinal Surgery (Complex \Traumatology) 

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

Certified member American Board of Independent Medical Examiners

2023

MEMBERSHIPS: 

  • Australian Orthopaedic Association

  • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

  • Spine Society of Australia

  • AO Spine

  • Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association [APSS]

  • North American Spine Society

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

  • Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons

  • Orthopaedic Research Society (Spine subsection)

  • Queensland Orthopaedic Research Foundation

  • American board Independent Medical Examiners

REVIEWER (Present/Past):

  • European Spine Journal

  • Clinical Spine Surgery

  • The Spine Journal

  • International Journal of Spine Surgery

  • Global Spine Journal

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PREVIOUS COMMITTEES / SERVICE:

  • Bone Growth Foundation

  • Australian Orthopaedic Registrars Association (SA delegate)

  • Australian Medical Association Doctors-In-training (Vice Chair, SA)

  • Royal Australian College of Surgeons Trainee Representative (SA)

  • Australian Defence Force, Commissioned Officer, Army Reserves

  • Club doctor pool, Norwood Football Club (SANFL)

  • Associate Clinical Lecturer, University of Adelaide

Research Publications and Conference Papers

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2023

The prevalence of central sensitisation amongst patients with chronic spinal pain and impact upon outcomes

Bond MD program research 2023-2024 - ongoing

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2023

Recovery of the Multifidus and other predictors of outcome in rehabilitation and non-surgical approaches to low back pain

Bond MD program research 2023-2024 - ongoing

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2022

Electromyogram diagnosed chronic lumbar radiculopathy is highly associated with L4-S1 regional multifidus atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging

Zotti M, Sherif Z, Kennedy B, Wyatt M, Bonev V

 Presented  at ISSLS Spineweek 2023 - Nominated for Best Paper

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Isolated lumbar extension resistance training is effective at improving extension power and disability in subjects with diagnosed lumbar multifidus dysfunction

Zotti M, Lincoln A, Enser B

Presented at Queensland Orthopaedic Research Foundation 2023

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2021

In Press - Book chapter - Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: The surgeon's definitive guide to Anterior Lumbar Surgery, 1st edition. Edited by Rao, Mobbs & Lennox. Thieme KG publishers, Germany.

Zotti M, Lee YC, Rao P, Selby M

 

2020

 

Patient reported outcome measures following multi-level lumbar total disc arthroplasty for the treatment of multi-level degenerative disc disease, Spine 45(1) p18-25. Presented at SSA, Gold Coast 2019

Scott-Young M, McEntee L, Zotti M

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Outcomes of cervical and lumbar total disc arthroplasty in elite athletes, Bond MD conference, Queensland, 2020

Asthari R, Zotti M, Stirling A, Scott-Young M

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Clinical outcomes of revision after multi-level disc arthroplasty, Bond MD conference, Queensland, 2020 *Prize winning paper.

​Wu M, Zotti M, Stirling A, Scott-Young M

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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2019 

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Magnetic resonance imaging morphology of lumbar paraspinal muscles following successful bilateral facet joint denervation

European Congress of Radiology, Australian Orthopaedic Association [AOA] Annual Scientific Meeting, *SSA, *AOA (SA) 2019 *Prize winning paper

M. Bonython, T. Nottage, L. Xu, M. Zotti, T. Fisher, M. Selby

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Current role of total disc replacement in clinical practice: outcomes and the future, Deformity Down Under, Sydney, August 2019. 

​M Scott-Young, L McEntee, M Zotti, W Hing, E Rathbone,

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Outcomes of revision surgery via anterior approach for refractory back syndrome followingly posteriorly inserted interbody cages, 30th SSA Gold Coast, 2019. 

M Scott-Young, L McEntee, M Zotti, W Fairburn

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Total disc arthroplasty outcomes in a workers’ compensation population in Australia, 30th SSA Gold Coast, 2019. 

​M Scott-Young, L McEntee, M Zotti, L Boyce

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Comparison of patient-reported outcome measures after single level and multi level lumbar total disc arthroplasty constructs, 30th SSA Gold Coast, 2019. 

Scott-Young M, Zotti M, McEntee L, Rathbone E, Hing W.

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion; A prospective, unmasked, non-randomized study of 240 patients utilizing a PEEK® Optima ALIF cage, 4th International PEEK Meeting, Washington DC, USA, April 2019. 

M Scott-Young, L McEntee, M Zotti, E Young

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon


Minimally invasive stabilization for thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures: a comparative study with short segment open Schanz screw constructs, Journal of Spine Surgery, 2019 March 5(1):13-18.

​ Lee YC, Selby M, Zotti M, Roy D, Freeman B

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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2018

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Combined aorto-iliac and anterior lumbar spine reconstruction: A case series. International Journal of Spine
Surgery, June 2018, 5038; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14444/5038

 Scott-Young M, McEntee L, Furness J, Schram B, Hing W, Grosser D, Zotti M.

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Outcomes of Single Level Total Disc Arthroplasty for Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease, ISASS18, Toronto Canada, April 2018. 

Scott-Young M, McEntee L, Schram B, Furness J, Rathbone E, Zotti M, Hing, W

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Management of common spinal disorders, GP18 National General Practice Conference, Gold Coast 2018

Zotti M, Appana P


Fusion assessment by MRI in comparison to CT in anterior lumbar interbody fusion: a prospective study,
Global spine journal, Sep 8(6):586-592. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2192568218757483

Kitchen D, Rao P, Zotti M, Woodman R, Sampson M, Allison D, Phan K, Selby M


Anterior lumbar spine reconstruction – Scott-Young M, Zotti M, Grosser D;

Allograft use in modern spine surgery – Scott-Young M & Zotti M;

Management of spinal infections Scott-Young, Zotti M, Fassett R;
Thoracolumbar junction approaches – Zotti M, McEntee L, Ferguson J, Scott-Young M;

Lumbar Interbody Fusion – McEntee L & Zotti M;

Spinal Radiology – Zotti M and Lee M

 

[Book chapters – Handbook of spinal technologies; Editor – Boyle Cheng, Publisher - Springer, DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33037-2]

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2017

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Is the preoperative MRI appearance of lumbar multifidus predictive for outcomes of lumbar decompression for
spinal stenosis? European Spine Journal, Oct 2017; 26(10):2589-2597. Presented at NASS, AORA, Global Spine Conference, SSA.

​Zotti M, Vilas-Boas F, Clifton T, Piche M, Yoon WW, Freeman B

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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2016

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Operative management of lumbar degenerative disc disease: a review, Asian Spine Journal, 10(4) August

Lee YC, Zotti M, Osti O

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2015

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The outcome of pedicle screw instrumentation removal for chronic low back pain, Journal of Spine Surgery,
Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 28-34. Presented at ANZORS, ISSLS (Poster), APSS (Poster).

​Zotti M, Brumby-Rendell O, McDonald B, Fisher T, Tsimiklis C, Yoon WW, Osti O

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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2014

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Digital imaging is not superior to film-screen imaging for detection of periprosthetic osteolysis, The Journal of
Arthroplasty, April 2014, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 736-41. Presented at AOA (SA).

Zotti M, Woodman R, Campbell D

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Wear rates of 36mm v 28 mm Metal on Highly Cross Linked Polyethylene Total Hip Replacement. Presented at AOA ASM, AORA*, ORS, AOA(SA) ASM and ANZORS. *Runner-up prize.

Zotti M, Callary S, Holubowycz O, Howie D

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Initial outcomes of direct anterior compared to posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty, AOA ASM, AOA (SA) ASM, British Hip Society (Poster)

​Dodds, Zotti M, Spriggins A

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Outcomes of Dynamic Syndesmosis (Tightrope) Fixation in Elite Athletes, AOA (SA) ASM

Zotti M, Spiteri A, Clayton J

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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Outcomes of operative achilles tendon rupture repair with early postoperative mobilisation protocol, AOA (SA) ASM

​Zotti M, Clayton J

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

 

2012

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Obtaining informed consent: a legal perspective, SA Law Bulletin, February 2012; Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 22-24. Presented at AOA (Medicolegal society)

Zotti V, Zotti M, Worswick D

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Radiographic detection of periprosthetic Osteolysis around Total Knee Replacements: An in vitro study, The
Journal of Arthroplasty, February 2012, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 317-22. AOA (SA)*, AORA, AOA ASM, RACS (SA) ASM*. *Prize winning paper

​Zotti M, Woodman R, Kiss G, Campbell D

 

Arthroscopic ulnar styloidectomy for ulnar styloid impaction syndrome. Arthroscopic management of ulna pain.
[Ed. Del Pinal] Springer Publications, 2012 pp. 183-190.

Zotti M, Eng K, Bain G 

 

2011

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Galanin receptor 3 – a potential target for acute pancreatitis therapy, Neurogastroenterology and Motility,
March 2011, Vol. 23, Issue 3, pp. 141-151. Presented at Southern Health Science Week.

Barreto S, Bazargan M, Zotti M et al.

 

2010

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Repeat radiofrequency radiofrequency facet joint denervation for chronic back pain: A Prospective Study,
Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, May 2010, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 153-158. Presented at AOA (SA).

Zotti M, Osti O

This paper describes a patient reported outcome study where Dr Zotti was not a treating surgeon

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2009

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A qualitative evaluation of the care of the Critically III Surgical Patient Course, ANZ journal Surgery, October
2009, Vol. 79, No. 10, pp. 693-6.

​Zotti M, Waxman B

 

Continuous practice improvement intervention in ankle fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation, AOA (SA)

Zotti M, Kimber C, Jaarsma R

Awards

  • 2023 Best Paper Nomination - International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine -    Spineweek Melbourne

  • 2020 MD Supervisor award – Bond University, Gold Coast

  • 2020 Best paper, Bond University MD research conference - supervisor for Dr. Michael Wu.

  • 2019 RJ Bauze prize (best paper - supervisor for recipient, Dr. Louis Xu)

  • 2019 Rob Johnston Award (Project supervisor for recipient - Dr. Thomas Nottage)

  • 2014 Allan Frederick Dwyer Prize, (runner-up best paper) AORA ASM, Melbourne

  • 2009 RP Jepson Medal, (best paper), RACS (SA)

  • 2009 RJ Bauze prize, (best paper), AOA SA ASM

  • 2007 1 st Class Honours, Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery

  • 2007 Investigator Prize, (2 nd Place Clinical Science division), Southern Health Research Week

  • 2007 A.N.Z. Orthopaedic Research Society Travel Award, Annual Scientific Meeting, Auckland

  • 2006 High Distinction, final medical exams and overall grade, Monash M.B.B.S.

  • 2005 Faculty Prize, top student in the Medicine/Surgery

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