scholarly journals Thoracolumbar instrumentation with CT-guided navigation (O-arm) in 270 consecutive patients: accuracy rates and lessons learned

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. E7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Rivkin ◽  
Steven S. Yocom

Object Thoracolumbar instrumentation has experienced a dramatic increase in utilization over the last 2 decades. However, pedicle screw fixation remains a challenging undertaking, with suboptimal placement contributing to postoperative pain, neurological deficit, vascular complications, and return to the operating suite. Image-guided spinal surgery has substantially improved the accuracy rates for these procedures. However, it is not without technical challenges and a learning curve for novice operators. The authors present their experience with the O-arm intraoperative imaging system and share the lessons they learned over nearly 5 years. Methods The authors performed a retrospective chart review of 270 consecutive patients who underwent thoracolumbar pedicle screw fixation utilizing the O-arm imaging system in conjunction with StealthStation navigation between April 2009 and September 2013 at a single tertiary care center; 266 of the patients underwent CT scanning on postoperative Day 1 to evaluate hardware placement. The CT scans were interpreted prospectively by 3 neuroradiologists as part of standard work flow and retrospectively by 2 neurosurgeons and a senior resident. Pedicle screws were evaluated for breaches according to the 3-tier classification proposed by Mirza et al. Results Of 270 patients, 266 (98.5%) were included in the final analysis based on the presence of a postoperative CT scan. Overall, 1651 pedicle screws were placed in 266 patients and yielded a 5.3% breach rate; 213 thoracic and 1438 lumbosacral pedicle screws were inserted with 6.6% and 5.1% breach rates, respectively. Of the 87 suboptimally placed screws, there were 13 Grade 1, 16 Grade 2, and 12 Grade 3 misses as well as 46 anterolateral or “tip-out” perforations at L-5. Four patients (1.5%) required a return to the operating room for pedicle screw revision, 2 of whom experienced transient radicular symptoms and 2 remained asymptomatic. Interestingly, the pedicle breach rate was higher than anticipated at 13.21% for the 30 patients over the initial 6-month period with the O-arm. After certain modifications to the authors' technique, the subsequent 30 patients experienced a statistically significant decrease in breach rate at 5.6% (p = 0.014). Conclusions Image-guided spinal surgery can be a great option in the operating room and provides high pedicle screw accuracy rates. With numerous systems commercially available, it is important to develop a systematic approach regardless of the technology in question. There is a learning curve for surgeons unfamiliar with image guidance that should be recognized and appreciated when transitioning to navigation-assisted spinal surgery. In fact, the authors' experience with a large patient cohort suggests that this learning curve may be more significant than previously reported.

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Chiung Chyi Shen

Use of pedicle screws is widespread in spinal surgery for degenerative, traumatic, and oncological diseases. The conventional technique is based on the recognition of anatomic landmarks, preparation and palpation of cortices of the pedicle under control of an intraoperative C-arm (iC-arm) fluoroscopy. With these conventional methods, the median pedicle screw accuracy ranges from 86.7% to 93.8%, even if perforation rates range from 21.1% to 39.8%.The development of novel intraoperative navigational techniques, commonly referred to as image-guided surgery (IGS), provide simultaneous and multiplanar views of spinal anatomy. IGS technology can increase the accuracy of spinal instrumentation procedures and improve patient safety. These systems, such as fluoroscopy-based image guidance ("virtual fluoroscopy") and computed tomography (CT)-based computer-guidance systems, have sensibly minimized risk of pedicle screw misplacement, with overall perforation rates ranging from between 14.3% and 9.3%, respectively."Virtual fluoroscopy" allows simultaneous two-dimensional (2D) guidance in multiple planes, but does not provide any axial images; quality of images is directly dependent on the resolution of the acquired fluoroscopic projections. Furthermore, computer-assisted surgical navigation systems decrease the reliance on intraoperative imaging, thus reducing the use of intraprocedure ionizing radiation. The major limitation of this technique is related to the variation of the position of the patient from the preoperative CT scan, usually obtained before surgery in a supine position, and the operative position (prone). The next technological evolution is the use of an intraoperative CT (iCT) scan, which would allow us to solve the position-dependent changes, granting a higher accuracy in the navigation system. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuhong Xue ◽  
Sheng Zhao

Abstract Background The management of thoracolumbar burst fractures traditionally involves posterior pedicle screw fixation, but it has some drawbacks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. They were treated by a modified technique that monoaxial pedicle screws instrumentation and distraction-compression technology assisted end plate reduction. Methods From March 2014 to February 2016, a retrospective study including 42 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures was performed. The patients had undergone posterior reduction and instrumentation with monoaxial pedicle screws. The fractured vertebrae were also inserted screws as a push point. The distraction -compression technology was used as assisting end plate reduction. All patients were followed up at a minimum of 2 years. These parameters including segmental kyphosis, severity of fracture, neurological function, canal compromise and back pain were evaluated in preoperatively, postoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results The average follow-up period was 28.9 ± 4.3 months (range, 24-39mo). No patients had postoperative implant failure at recent follow-up. The mean Cobb angle of the kyphosis was improved from 14.2°to 1.1° (correction rate 92.1%). At final follow-up there was 1.5% loss of correction. The mean preoperative wedge angle was improved from 17.1 ± 7.9°to 4.4 ± 3.7°(correction rate 74.3%). The mean anterior and posterior vertebral height also showed significant improvements postoperatively, which were maintained at the final follow-up(P < 0.05). The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores was 8 and 1.6 in preoperation and at the last follow-up, and there was significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusion Based on our experience, distraction-compression technology can assist reduction of collapsed endplate directly. Satisfactory fracture reduction and correction of segmental kyphosis can be achieved and maintained with the use of monoaxial pedicle screw fixation including the fractured vertebra. It may be a good treatment approach for thoracolumbar burst fractures.


1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain H. Kalfas ◽  
Donald W. Kormos ◽  
Michael A. Murphy ◽  
Rick L. McKenzie ◽  
Gene H. Barnett ◽  
...  

✓ Interactive frameless stereotaxy has been successfully applied to intracranial surgery. It has contributed to the improved localization of deep-seated brain lesions and has demonstrated a potential for reducing both operative time and morbidity. However, it has not been as effectively applied to spinal surgery. The authors describe the application of frameless stereotactic techniques to spinal surgery, specifically pedicle screw fixation of the lumbosacral spine. Preoperative axial computerized tomography (CT) images of the appropriate spinal segments are obtained and loaded onto a high-speed graphics supercomputer workstation. Intraoperatively, these images can be linked to the appropriate spinal anatomy by a sonic localization digitizer device that is interfaced with the computer workstation. This permits the surgeon to place a pointing device (sonic wand) on any exposed spinal bone landmark in the operative field and obtain multiplanar reconstructed CT images projected in near-real time on the workstation screen. The images can be manipulated to assist the surgeon in determining the proper entry point for a pedicle screw as well as defining the appropriate trajectory in the axial and sagittal planes. It can also define the correct screw length and diameter for each pedicle to be instrumented. The authors applied this device to the insertion of 150 screws into the lumbosacral spines of 30 patients. One hundred forty-nine screws were assessed to be satisfactorily placed by postoperative CT and plain film radiography. In this report the authors discuss their use of this device in the clinical setting and review their preliminary results of frameless stereotaxy applied to spinal surgery. On the basis of their findings, the authors conclude that frameless stereotactic technology can be successfully applied to spinal surgery.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Miyamoto ◽  
Katsuji Shimizu ◽  
Ken Kouda ◽  
Hideo Hosoe

✓ The authors describe a simple, new method for removing broken pedicle screws. Under microscopic visualization a straight, narrow slot is etched in the broken surface of the pedicle screw by using a power drill with a 2-mm diamond burr. A minus screwdriver is then inserted into the slot, and the broken screw is rotated and removed. There is no need to enlarge the screw hole around the broken screw or to use any special devices. The authors succeeded in removing broken screws in two cases, and there were no complications. This method allows preservation of both the pedicle and the screw hole. Consequently, it is possible to insert new pedicle screws into the same hole without losing the strength and stability of pedicle screw fixation. The authors recommend this simple and new method for removal of broken pedicle screws.


2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Analiz Rodriguez ◽  
Matthew T. Neal ◽  
Ann Liu ◽  
Aravind Somasundaram ◽  
Wesley Hsu ◽  
...  

Object Symptomatic adjacent-segment lumbar disease (ASLD) after lumbar fusion often requires subsequent surgical intervention. The authors report utilizing cortical bone trajectory (CBT) pedicle screw fixation with intraoperative CT (O-arm) image-guided navigation to stabilize spinal levels in patients with symptomatic ASLD. This unique technique results in the placement of 2 screws in the same pedicle (1 traditional pedicle trajectory and 1 CBT) and obviates the need to remove preexisting instrumentation. Methods The records of 5 consecutive patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion with CBT and posterior interbody grafting for ASLD were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent screw trajectory planning with the O-arm in conjunction with the StealthStation navigation system. Basic demographics, operative details, and radiographic and clinical outcomes were obtained. Results The average patient age was 69.4 years (range 58–82 years). Four of the 5 surgeries were performed with the Minimal Access Spinal Technologies (MAST) Midline Lumbar Fusion (MIDLF) system. The average operative duration was 218 minutes (range 175–315 minutes). In the entire cohort, 5.5-mm cortical screws were placed in previously instrumented pedicles. The average hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 2–3 days) and there were no surgical complications. All patients had more than 6 months of radiographic and clinical follow-up (range 10–15 months). At last follow-up, all patients reported improved symptoms from their preoperative state. Radiographic follow-up showed Lenke fusion grades of A or B. Conclusions The authors present a novel fusion technique that uses CBT pedicle screw fixation in a previously instrumented pedicle with intraoperative O-arm guided navigation. This method obviates the need for hardware removal. This cohort of patients experienced good clinical results. Computed tomography navigation was critical for accurate CBT screw placement at levels where previous traditional pedicle screws were already placed for symptomatic ASLD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. s-0035-1554333-s-0035-1554333
Author(s):  
John Michael Duff ◽  
Yves Henchoz ◽  
Marc Levivier ◽  
Lukas Bobinski

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Junaid ◽  
Ali Afzal ◽  
Anisa Kalsoom ◽  
Syed Sarmad Bukhari

Objective: To determine outcome of freehand pedicle screw fixation for dorsal, lumbar and sacral fractures at a tertiary care centre in the developing world. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 150 consecutive patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation from January 1, 2012 to 31st December 2017. A total of 751 pedicle screws were placed. Incidence and extent of cortical breach by misplaced pedicle screw was determined by review of intra-operative and post-operative radiographs and/or computed tomography. Results: Among the total 751 free hand placed pedicle screws, four screws (0.53%) were repositioned due to a misdirected trajectory towards the disc space. six screws (0.79%) were identified to have cause moderate breach while four screws (0.53%) cause severe breach. There was no occurrence of iatrogenic nerve root damage or violation of the spinal canal. Conclusion: Free hand pedicle screw placement based on external landmarks showed remarkable safety and accuracy in our center. The authors conclude that assiduous adherence to technique and preoperative planning is vital to success. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.981 How to cite this:Junaid M, Afzal A, Kalsoom A, Bukhari SS. Freehand pedicle screw fixation: A safe recipe for dorsal, lumbar and sacral spine. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.981 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document