Biomechanical effects of posterior lumbar interbody fusion with vertical placement of pedicle screws compared to traditional placement

BACKGROUND The pedicle screw technique is widely employed for vertebral body fixation in the treatment of spinal disorders.However,traditional screw placement methods require the dissection of paraspinal muscles and the insertion of pedicle screws at specific transverse section angles(TSA).Larger TSA angles require more force to pull the muscle tissue,which can increase the risk of surgical trauma and ischemic injury to the lumbar muscles.AIM To study the feasibility of zero-degree TSA vertical pedicle screw technique in the lumbosacral segment.METHODS Finite element models of vertebral bodies and pedicle screw-rod systems were established for the L4-S1 spinal segments.A standard axial load of 500 N and a rotational torque of 10 N/m were applied.Simulated screw pull-out experiment was conducted to observe pedicle screw resistance to pull-out,maximum stress,load-displacement ratio,maximum stress in vertebral bodies,load-displacement ratio in vertebral bodies,and the stress distribution in pedicle screws and vertebral bodies.Differences between the 0-degree and 17-degree TSA were compared.RESULTS At 0-degree TSA,the screw pull-out force decreased by 11.35%compared to that at 17-degree TSA(P<0.05).At 0-degree and 17-degree TSA,the stress range in the screw-rod system was 335.1-657.5 MPa and 242.8-648.5 MPa,separately,which were below the fracture threshold for the screw-rod system(924 MPa).At 0-degree and 17-degree TSA,the stress range in the vertebral bodies was 68.45-78.91 MPa and 39.08-72.73 MPa,separately,which were below the typical bone yield stress range for vertebral bodies(110-125 MPa).At 0-degree TSA,the load-displacement ratio for the vertebral bodies and pedicle screws was slightly lower compared to that at 17-degree TSA,indicating slightly lower stability(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The safety and stability of 0-degree TSA are slightly lower,but the risks of screw-rod system fracture,vertebral body fracture,and rupture are within acceptable limits.

Posterior Selective Thoracic Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients:a Comparison of All Pedicle Screws versus Hybrid Instrumentation

Objective To analyze the influence of segmental pedicle screws versus hybrid instrumentation on the correction results in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior selective thoracic fusion. Methods By reviewing the medical records and roentgenograms of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent selective thoracic fusion from February 2000 to January 2007 in our hospital, the patients were divided into 2 groups according to different instrumentation fashions： Group A was hook-screw-rod （hybrid） internal fixation type, Group B was screw-rod （all pedicle screws） internal fixation type, and the screws were used in every segment on the concave side of the thoracic curve. The parameters of the scoliosis were measured and the correction results were analyzed. Results Totally, 48 patients （7 males, 41 females） were included, with an average age of 14.4 years old and a mean follow-up time of 12.3 months. Thirty and 18 patients were assigned to group A and group B, respectively. The mean preoperative coronal Cobb angles of the thoracic curve were 48.8° and 47.4°, respectively. After surgery, they were corrected to 13.7° and 6.8°, respectively. At final follow-up, they were 17.0° and 9.5°, with an average correction rate of 64.6% and 79.0%, respectively, and the correction rate of group B was significantly higher than that of group A （P=0.003）. The mean preoperative coronal Cobb angles of the lumbar curve were 32.6° and 35.2°, respectively. After surgery, they were corrected to 8.6° and 8.3°, respectively. At final follow-up, they were 10.3° and 11.1°, with an average correction rate of 66.8% and 69.9%, respectively, and the correction rate of group B was significantly higher than that of group A （P=0.003）. The correction loss of the thoracic curve and lumbar curve in the 2 groups were 3.1° and 1.8°, 2.4° and 2.4°, respectively. No significant difference was noted （both P〉0.05）. The decompensation rate at final follow-up in these 2 groups were 4% （1/25） and 7.1% （1/14） respectively, with no significant difference （P〉0.05）.

Revised in-depth meta-analysis on the efficacy of robot-assisted versus traditional free-hand pedicle screw insertion

Objective:Robot-assisted pedicle screw insertion has recently emerged as an alternative to the traditional free-hand technique.However,discrepancies in the accuracy of screw placement between the 2 methods have been highlighted by some comparative studies.This meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize evidence comparing these techniques.Methods:Searches were conducted in 5 electronic databases adhering to specific eligibility criteria for randomized and observational studies.The data were analyzed using RevMan software and the results are presented as odds ratios(ORs),mean differences,or standard mean differences(SMDs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs).Our analysis included 12 studies(7 randomized trials and 5 observational studies,involving 883 patients and 4903 screws).Results:The results demonstrated a higher rate of Grade A Gertzbein and Robbins pedicle placement score(OR:1.77;95%CI:1.10e2.87),a lower rate of revision surgeries(OR:0.21;95%CI:0.09e0.52),and a shorter radiation exposure duration(SMD?1.38,95%CI:2.32 to0.44)in the robot-assisted group compared with the free-hand group.Nonetheless,the length of hospital stay,volume of intraoperative blood loss,postoperative visual analogue scale scores for back pain,and rate of wound infection were similar between the 2 groups.Significant heterogeneity was observed in some outcomes.Conclusion:Compared with the free-hand method,the robot-assisted technique provides greater accuracy and reduced radiation exposure.The efficacy of the robot-assisted technique is expected to improve further as experience with its use in surgery grows.

Biomechanical comparison of cervical transfacet pedicle screws versus pedicle screws

Background Transfacet pedicle screws provide another alternative for standard pedicle screw placement for plate fixation in the lumbar spine. However, few studies looking at transfacet pedicle screw fixation in the cervical spine are available. Therefore, cervical transfacet pedicle screw fixation and standard pedicle screw fixation techniques were biomechanically compared in this study. Methods Ten fresh human cadaveric cervical spines were harvested. On one side, transfacet pedicle screws were placed at the C3-4, C5-6, and C7-T1 levels. On the other side, pedicle screws were placed at the C3, C5, and C7 levels. The screw insertion technique at each level was randomized for right or left. The starting point for the transfacet pedicle screw insertion was located at the midpoint of the inferolateral quadrant of the lateral mass and the direction of the screw was about 50° caudally in the sagittal plane and about 45° toward the midline in the axial plane. Screws were placed from the inferior articular process, across the facet complex and the pedicle into the body of the caudal vertebra. The entry point for the pedicle screw was located at the midpoint of the superolateral quadrant of the lateral mass, and the direction of the screw was about 45° toward the midline in the axial plane and toward the upper third of the vertebral body in the sagittal plane. After screw placement we performed axial pullout testing. Results All the cervical transfacet pedicle screws and the pedicle screws were inserted successfully. The mean pullout strength for the transfacet pedicle screws was 694 N, while for the pedicle screws 670 N （P=0.013）. In all but six instances （10%）, the pedicle screw pullout values exceeded the values for the transfacet pedicle screws; this occurred three times at the C3/C4 level, twice at the C5/C6 level and once at the C7/T1 level. The greatest pullout strength difference at a single level was observed at the C5/C6 level, with a mean difference of 38 N （t=-1.557, P=0.154）. The C7/T1 level had a mean difference of 26 N and the C3/C4 level had a mean difference of 14 N. Conclusions Cervical transfacet pedicle screws exhibited higher pullout strength than pedicle screws. Posterior transfacet pedicle screw fixation in the cervical spine may afford an alternative to standard screw placement for plate fixation and cervical stabilization.

Position and complications of pedicle screw insertion with or without image-navigation techniques in the thoracolumbar spine:a meta-analysis of comparative studies

Computer-navigated pedicle screw insertion is applied to the thoracic and lumbar spine to attain high insertion accuracy and a low rate of screw-related complications.However,some in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that no advantages are gained with the use of navigation techniques compared to conventional techniques.Additionally,inconsistent conclusions have been drawn in various studies due to different population characteristics and methods used to assess the accuracy of screw placement.Moreover,it is not clear whether pedicle screw insertion with navigation techniques decreases the incidence of screw-related complications.Therefore,this study was sought to perform a meta-analysis of all available prospective evidence regarding pedicle screw insertion with or without navigation techniques in human thoracic and lumbar spine.We considered in vivo comparative studies that assessed the results of pedicle screw placement with or without navigation techniques.PubMed,Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched.Three published randomized controlled trials（RCTs） and nine retrospective comparative studies met the inclusion criteria.These studies included a total of 732 patients in whom 4,953 screws were inserted.In conclusion,accuracy of the position of grade I,II,III and IV screws and complication rate related to pedicle screw placement were significantly increased when navigation techniques were used in comparison to conventional techniques.Future research in this area should include RCTs with well-planned methodology to limit bias and report on validated,patient-based outcome measures.

Treatment of Thoracolumbar Vertebrate Fracture by Transpedicular Morselized Bone Grafting in Vertebrae for Spinal Fusion and Pedicle Screw Fixation

To enhance the fusion of graft bone in thoracolumbar vertebrae and minimize the postoperative loss of correction, short-segment pedicle screw fixation was reinforced with posterior moselizee bone grafting in vertebrae for spinal fusion in patients with thoracrolumbar vertebrate fractures. Seventy patients with thoracrolumbar vertebrate fractures were treated by short-segment pedicle screw fixation and were randomly divided into two groups. Fractures in group A （n=20） were rein-forced with posterior morselized bone grafting in vertebrae for spinal fusion, while patients group B （n=50） did not receive the morselized bone grafting for bone fusion. The two groups were compared in terms of kyphotic deformity, anterior vertebral height, instrument failure and neurological functions after the treatment. Frankel grading system was used for the evaluation of neurological evaluation and Denis scoring scale was employed for pain assessment. The results showed that the kyphosis correction was achieved in both group A and group B （group A： 6.4 degree; group B： 5.4 degree）/At the end of follow-up, kyphosis correction was maintained in group A but lost in group B （P=0.0001）. Postoperatively, greater anterior height was achieved in group A than in group B （P〈0.01）. During follow-up study, anterior vertebral height was maintained only in Group A （P〈0.001）. Both group A and group B showed good Denis pain scores （P1 and P2） but group A outdid group B in terms of control of severe and constant pain （P4 and P5）. By Frankel criteria, the changes in neurological functions in group A was better than those of group B （P〈0.001）. It is concluded that reinforcement of short-segment pedicle fixation with morselized bone grafting for the treatment of patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture could achieve and maintain kyphosis correction, and it may also increase and maintain anterior vertebral height. Morselized bone grafting in vertebrae offers immediate spinal stability in patients with thoracolumbar vertebrate fractures, decreases the instrument failure and provides better postoperative pain control than without the morselized bone grafting.

A new free-hand pedicle screw placement technique with reference to the supraspinal ligament

We sought to compare the safety and accuracy of a new free-hand pedicle screw placement technique to that of the conventional technique. One hundred fifty-three consecutive adult patients with simple fracture in the tho- racic or/and lumbar spine were alternately assigned to either the new free-hand or the conventional group. In the new free-hand technique group, preoperative computerized tomography （CT） images were used to calculate the targeted medial-lateral angle of each pedicle trajectory and the pedicle screw was inserted perpendicular to the corresponding supraspinal ligament. In the conventional technique group, the medial-lateral and cranial-caudal angle of each pedicle trajectory was determined by intraoperatively under fluoroscopic guidance. The accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement, the time of intraoperative fluoroscopy, the operating time and the amount of blood loss during operation were respectively compared. All screws were analyzed by using intraoperative ra- diographs, intraoperative triggered electromyography （EMG） monitoring data, postoperative CT data and clinical outcomes. The accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement in the new free-hand technique group and the conven- tional technique group was 96.3% and 94.2% （P 〈 0.05）, respectively. The intraoperative fluoroscopy time of the new technique group was less than that of the conventional technique group （5.37 seconds vs. 8.79 seconds, P 〈 0.05）. However, there was no statistical difference in the operating time and the amount of blood loss during op- eration （P 〉 0.05）. Pedicle screw placement with the free-hand technique which keeps the screw perpendicular to the supraspinal ligament is an accurate, reliable and safe technique to treat simple fracture in the thoracic or lum- bar spine.

Pedicle Screw Fixation with Kyphoplasty Decreases the Fracture Risk of the Treated and Adjacent Non-treated Vertebral Bodies:a Finite Element Analysis

Adjacent vertebral fractures are common in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures（OVCFs） after kyphoplasty.This finite element study was to examine whether short segment pedicle screw fixation（PSF） with kyphoplasty may decrease the fracture risk of the treated and adjacent non-treated vertebrae after kyphoplasty for OVCFs.By simulating cement augmentation with or without short segment pedicle screw fixation（PSF）,two tridimensional,anatomically detailed finite element models of the T10–L2 functional spinal junction were developed.The insertion of pedicle screws into the intact vertebra apparently decreased the stress distribution of the treated vertebra in vertical compression and other load situations.The stress distribution in the bone structures of the intact vertebra adjacent to the intact-screwed vertebra was much less than that in the one adjacent to the treated vertebra.The insertion of pedicle screws into the intact vertebra greatly decreased the maximum displacement of the cortical bones and cancellous bones of the vertebrae.Our results indicated that short segment PSF with kyphoplasty may decrease the fracture risk of the treated and adjacent non-treated vertebrae in the management of OVCFs.

Investigation of optical reflectance from different animal vertebra along the fixation trajectory of pedicle screw in frequency domain

Accurate placement of pedicle screw(PS)is crucial in spinal surgery.Developing new real-time intra-operative monitoring and navigation methods is an important direction of clinical appli-cation research.In this paper,we studied the spectrum along the fixation trajectory of PS in frequency domain to tackle the accuracy problem.Fresh porcine vertebrae,bovine vertebrae and ovine vertebrae were measured with the near-infrared spectrum(NIR)device to obtain the reflected spectrum from the vertebrae.Along the fixation trajectory of PS,average energy from different groups was calculated and used for identifying different tissues and compared to achieve the optimal recognition factor.Compared with the time domain approach,the frequency domain method could divide the spectra measured at different tissue points into different groups more stably and accurately,which could serve as a new method to assist the PS insertion.The results gained from this study are significant to the development of hi-tech medical instruments with independent intellectual property rights.

Successful outcomes of unilateral vs bilateral pedicle screw fixation for lumbar interbody fusion:A meta-analysis with evidence grading

BACKGROUND Whether it’s better to adopt unilateral pedicle screw(UPS)fixation or to use bilateral pedicle screw(BPS)one for lumbar degenerative diseases is still controversially undetermined.AIM To make a comparison between UPS and BPS fixation as to how they work efficaciously and safely in patients suffering from lumbar degenerative diseases.METHODS We have searched a lot in the databases through 2020 with index terms such as“unilateral pedicle screw fixation”and“bilateral pedicle screw fixation.”Only randomized controlled trials and some prospective cohort studies could be found,yielding 15 studies.The intervention was unilateral pedicle screw fixation;Primarily We’ve got outcomes of complications and fusion rates.Secondarily,we’ve achieved outcomes regarding total blood loss,operative time,as well as length of stay.Softwares were installed and utilized for subgroup analysis,analyzing forest plots,sensitivity,heterogeneity,forest plots,publication bias,and risk of bias.RESULTS Fifteen previous cases of study including 992 participants have been involved in our meta-analysis.UPS had slightly lower effects on fusion rate[relative risk(RR)=0.949,95%CI:0.910 to 0.990,P=0.015],which contributed mostly to this metaanalysis,and similar complication rates(RR=1.140,95%CI:0.792 to 1.640,P=0.481),Δvisual analog scale[standard mean difference(SMD)=0.178,95%CI:-0.021 to 0.378,P=0.080],andΔOswestry disability index(SMD=-0.254,95%CI:-0.820 to 0.329,P=0.402).In contrast,an obvious difference has been observed inΔJapanese Orthopedic Association(JOA)score(SMD=0.305,95%CI:0.046 to 0.563,P=0.021),total blood loss(SMD=-1.586,95%CI:-2.182 to-0.990,P=0.000),operation time(SMD=-2.831,95%CI:-3.753 to-1.909,P=0.000),and length of hospital stay(SMD=-0.614,95%CI:-1.050 to-0.179,P=0.006).CONCLUSION Bilateral fixation is more effective than unilateral fixation regarding fusion rate after lumbar interbody fusion.However,JOA,operation time,total blood loss,as well as length of stay were improved for unilateral fixation.

Learning curves of robot-assisted pedicle screw fixations based on the cumulative sum test

BACKGROUND In robot-assisted(RA)spine surgery,the relationship between the surgical outcome and the learning curve remains to be evaluated.AIM To analyze the learning curve of RA pedicle screw fixation(PSF)through fitting the operation time curve based on the cumulative summation method.METHODS RA PSFs that were initially completed by two surgeons at the Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from July 2016 to March 2019 were analyzed retrospectively.Based on the cumulative sum of the operation time,the learning curves of the two surgeons were drawn and fit to polynomial curves.The learning curve was divided into the early and late stages according to the shape of the fitted curve.The operation time and screw accuracy were compared between the stages.RESULTS The turning point of the learning curves from Surgeons A and B appeared in the 18th and 17th cases,respectively.The operation time[150(128,188)min vs 120(105,150)min,P=0.002]and the screw accuracy(87.50%vs 96.30%,P=0.026)of RA surgeries performed by Surgeon A were significantly improved after he completed 18 cases.In the case of Surgeon B,the operation time(177.35±28.18 min vs 150.00±34.64 min,P=0.024)was significantly reduced,and the screw accuracy(91.18%vs 96.15%,P=0.475)was slightly improved after the surgeon completed 17 RA surgeries.CONCLUSION After completing 17 to 18 cases of RA PSFs,surgeons can pass the learning phase of RA technology.The operation time is reduced afterward,and the screw accuracy shows a trend of improvement.

Potential contribution of pedicle screw design to loosening rate in patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine:An observational study

BACKGROUND The majority of published data report the results of biomechanical tests of various design pedicle screw performance.The clinical relevance and relative contribution of screw design to instrumentation stability have been insufficiently studied.AIM To estimate the contribution of screw design to rate of pedicle screw loosening in patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.METHODS This study is a prospective evaluation of 175 patients with degenerative diseases and instability of the lumbar spine segments.Participants underwent spinal instrumentation employing pedicle screws with posterior only or transforaminal interbody fusion.Follow-up was for 18 mo.Patients with signs of pedicle screw loosening on computed tomography were registered;logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors that influenced the rate of loosening.RESULTS Parameters included in the analysis were screw geometry,type of thread,external and internal screw diameter and helical pitch,bone density in Hounsfield units,number of levels fused,instrumentation without anterior support,laminectomy,and unilateral and bilateral total facet joint resection.The rate of screw loosening decreased with the increment in outer diameter,decrease in core diameter and helical pitch.The rate of screw loosening correlated positively with the number of fused levels and decreasing bone density.Bilateral facet joint removal significantly favored pedicle screw loosening.The influence of other factors was insignificant.CONCLUSION Screw parameters had a significant impact on the loosening rate along with bone quality characteristics,the number of levels fused and the extensiveness of decompression.The significance of the influence of screw parameters was comparable to those of patient-and surgery-related factors.Pedicle screw loosening was influenced by helical pitch,inner and outer diameter,but screw geometry and thread type were insignificant factors.

Evaluation of Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in Patients with Pyogenic Spondylitis of the Thoracolumbar Spine

Background: Basic principle for the treatment of pyogenic spondylitis (PS) is conservative care, but surgical intervention is often required when conservative treatment may fail. We have experienced many conservative cases of various complications due to long-term bed rest and poor pain control. Recently we have adopted percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation for the treatment of PS as a minimally invasive spine stabilization (MISt) fusion to reduce such morbidity of the conservative care. Objective: To evaluate the impact of PPS fixation in patients with PS. Study Design: A retrospective analysis of the medical records. Subjects, Methods: We reviewed 54 consecutive patients who underwent treatment in our hospital for PS during 2005-2018 and observed for more than 12 months. Of those we excluded cases showing effectiveness to initial treatment (it was defined fever relief or C-reactive protein (CRP) inversion in 3 weeks of antibiotics) so that this study is a retrospective study in cases showing initial treatment resistance. Finally, this study included 29 cases. Medical records of these 29 cases were reviewed for baseline, organism isolated and its detection rate, the clinical outcome in 12 months (Discharge, Transfer, Death), the period from the first visit to our hospital to fever relief, CRP inversion, ambulation, and Discharge or Transfer. Results: These cases were divided into two groups, the conservative group (C-group): 17 cases, and the PPS group (P-group): 12 cases. There is no statistically significant difference in fever relief (p = 0.051) and CRP inversion (p = 0.208). The period to ambulation and discharge or transfer was significantly shorter in group P (p = 0.020, p = 0.031). 1-Year survival rate was 92% in the P-group, and 71% in the C-group. There is no statistically significant difference (p = 0.354) between the two groups. The rate of Discharge to home and care facility is 58% in P-group, and 47% in C-group. And the rate of Transfer is 34% in P-group, and 35% in C-group. Conclusion: PPS fixation was effective to achieve shortening the period to ambulation and discharge or transfer. But it was not effective in infection control. This suggests that PPS fixation should be aggressively administered to patients who can expect pain relief and early ambulation by PPS fixation in the patient of PS showing resistance to initial treatment.

Surgical treatment for scoliosis extending to main thoracic spine by key-vertebral-screws technique (KVST)

Objective:To introduce a key-vertebral-screws technique(KVST) in the surgical treatment of scoliosis extending to main thoracic levels, and to find the role of fulcrum bending in predicting the result of surgical treatment for scoliosis by this technique. Methods: Seventeen consecutive patients with scoliosis extending to main thoracic spine,who underwent pure posterior fusion without anterior or posterior release by KVST between January 2004 and July 2005 were evaluated for fulcrum bending flexibility, surgical correction rate, fulcrum bending correction index (FBCI) in main thoracic curves. Universal Spine System (USS) instrumentation was used in 15 cases,Monarch in another 2 cases. The severity of the curves was measured by Cobb's method using Rad Work 6. 0 software. Preoperative standing AP radiographs, preoperative fulcrum bending anterioposterior (AP) radiographs, postoperative standing AP radiographs, and most recent follow-up standing AP radiographs for spine were measured and recorded. All the data were analyzed with two-sample paired t-test by Origin 7. 0 software. Results: Infection and neurological complications were not noted. No major complications were found. Just one case had some axial back pain, which got a full recovery from physiotherapy for 2 weeks. In the X-ray, there was an average correction of 71. 5% of the fused main thoracic curves, which had no significant lose of correction in final follow-up. For the whole fused main thoracic curves, the fulcrum bending flexibility were lower to operation correction rate (P = 0. 013). The average FBCI was 123%. From the data, the more rigid curves (especially fulcrum bending flexibility <50%), the more correction rate operation could get, compared with fulcrum bending flexibility. Conclusion: (1) KVST is a good method in the surgical treatment of thoracic scoliosis, which can get satisfying result with lower medical cost. (2) Fulcrum bending flexibility is lower than operative correction rate by KVST in main thoracic curves (P<0. 05). In the more rigid curves assessed by fulcrum-bending radiograph, the operative corrective could be gained, especially in the curves which FBCI is lower than 50%.

Intracardiac,pulmonary cement embolism in a 67-year-old female after cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND We report a case of Intracardiac,pulmonary,and intravenous cement embolism after cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation in treating spondylolisthesis underlying osteoporotic bone,which was successfully managed by conservative treatment.We describe the treatment and outcome of the patient,hoping to shed light on the management of bone cement embolism.CASE SUMMARY A 67-year-old female suffered from progressive low back pain and numbness in lower extremities for 30 years.She was diagnosed with L4 and L5 spondylolisthesis,spinal stenosis,and osteoporosis.The patient underwent spinal canal decompression,an interbody fusion of L4/5 and L5/S1,cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation in L4-L5 segments,and regular pedicle screw in S1 segments.Three days postoperatively,a sudden drop in oxygen saturation occurred.Computerized tomography scan confirmed Intracardiac,pulmonary,and intravenous embolism.The patient was treated conservatively by continuous low-flow oxygen inhalation,anti-coagulation,and antibiotic therapy for 1 mo and continued anticoagulation treatment for 6 mo.The patient showed no further symptoms in a 30-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION Intracardiac,pulmonary cement embolism after cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation is extremely rare.Careful clinical and radiographic evaluation is required in multiple sites of bone cement embolism.Conservative treatment may be a primary consideration in scattered emboli without life-threatening conditions,but a clinical decision should be made on an individualized basis.

Cadaveric Evaluation of Lumbar Pedicle Morphometry among Nigerians

Pedicle screw is employed in several cases of spine disorders such as fractures, pseudarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative changes among others. Its essence is to fix the vertebral body in position until fusion is complete. The success of this technique depends on factors like choice of size of screw for a particular pedicle size and shape. Thus, adequate knowledge of the morphometry of lumbar pedicle may avert intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with this technique, especially, neurological impairments. In this study, we determined the vertical and horizontal diameters, interpedicular distance and gender differences of 180 lumbar vertebral pedicles (140 male, 40 female pedicles) using digital vernier calipers. Results revealed a significant increase in pedicle height and width from L2 to L5. Interpedicular distance increased significantly down the vertebrae from L2 to L5. Mean vertical and horizontal diameters, interpedicular distance were not significantly different in both sexes. This study recommends a thorough check of individual’s spinal anatomy in pre-operative assessments.

Pedicle Screw Insertion for Concave Side of Proximal Thoracic Curve in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background: Insertion of the pedicle screws (PS) into the proximal thoracic spine is occasionally challenging owing to the small size of the pedicles and the proximity to the spinal cord. An appropriate anchor placement method for the concave side of the proximal thoracic curve has not been established yet. This study aimed to evaluate the pedicle size and position of PS on the concave side of the proximal thoracic curve in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: Forty consecutive patients with AIS who underwent correction and fusion with all PS constructs, including the proximal thoracic curve in the fusion area, were included. After identifying the screws inserted on the concave side of the proximal thoracic curve, the pre-operative morphology and postoperative position of the inserted PS, including the end vertebrae, were analyzed using computed tomography (CT). Screw perforations were categorized into four grades depending on the degree of perforation from the pedicle wall on postoperative CT and were classified using an outcome-based classification. Results: A total of 109 screws were inserted on the concave side of the proximal thoracic curve. The average width of all pedicles was 3.5 ± 1.1 mm. The width of 90 pedicles (83%) was Conclusion: Perforations were found in 84% of the PS on the concave side of the proximal thoracic curve;however, 93% of the PS were considered acceptable in the outcome-based classification. Thus, we conclude that the in-out-in technique may be both feasible and effective.

Study on clinical effects of pedicle screw combined with immobilized implantation bone by wirerope and hallow compression screw immobilization in treating spondylolysis of lumbar vertebra of multiple segments of adults

Objective:To observe clinical effects of pedicle screw fixation combined with cable wires and bone graft and cannulated compression screws on adult multi-segment lumbar spondylolysis.Methods:70 cases of patients with multi-segment lumbar spondylolysis were selected in our hospital.According to different surgical schemes,these patients were divided into the observation group(35 cases)and the control group(35 cases).The observation group received pedicle screw fixation combined with cable wires and bone graft and the control group received cannulated compression screw fixation.Macnab criteria were adopted to implement a therapeutic evaluation of two groups of patients to make an observation and comparison of the excellent and good rate of surgery and a series of indicators including perioperative clinical effects,intraoperative blood loss,duration of surgery,hospital length of stay(HLOS),visual analogue scale(VAS),Oswestry disability index and Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score.Results:The excellent and good rate of the observation group was 97.14%,and that of the control group was 82.86%,the difference between two groups was statistically significant(χ^(2)=6.248,p=0.012).The differences in intraoperative blood loss,duration of surgery and HLOS between two groups were statistically significant(t=-4.55,t=-4.55,t=-4.55;p<0.05).Oswestry index,VAS score and JOA score of the observation group were(2.4±0.9),(28.5±6.4)and(27.1±3.1)respectively,and these of the control group were(3.5±1.2),(37.1±7.8)and(21.3±2.7)respectively,the differences between two groups were statistically significant(t=4.338,t=5.043,t=8.347,p<0.05).Conclusions:Pedicle screw combined with immobilized implantation bone by wirerope has an excellent clinical effect on the treatment of adult multi-segment lumbar spondylolysis,and it has a series of advantages such as fast postoperative recovery,small surgical trauma and so on.In addition,this technique can also restore the stability of spinal segments and relieve pains to a greater degree.

Unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases

Objective To explore the feasibility and efficiency of the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) procedures in which unilateral pedicle screw fixation was used.

Expandable pedicle screw instrumentation plus cement augmentation in surgery for severely osteoporotic spine

Objective To evaluate short-teerm clinical and radiographic results of a novel expandable pedicle screw instrumentation combined with cement augmentation in surgery for severely osteoporotic spine.Methods From October 2006 to October