Application of a novel customized guide template in percutaneous pedicle screw placement: an in vitro study

In open surgery for spine stabilization, the pedicle screws are often placed using patient-specific guide templates since they can improve the screw placement accuracy and simplify surgery. However, the conventional fit-and-lock template requires full exposure of the bony structures and is therefore not suitable for minimally invasive procedures. In this study, we constructed a novel guide template for percutaneous pedicle screw placement. Its feasibility and the accuracy of template-assisted pedicle screw placement were assessed using an excised calf spine model. As a result, all inserted guide wires and 27 of 30 simulated screws (90%) were completely in the pedicle. The remaining screws (10%) penetrated by less than 2 mm. The average distance and angular deviations of the guide wires were 1.46±0.60 mm and 1.10±0.84°. Our study demonstrate that this novel guide template is technically feasible and enhances the accuracy of percutaneous pedicle screw placement. Moreover, it may simplify the surgery and minimize intraoperative radiation. Further research on its clinical applications is warranted.

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Accuracy of percutaneous lumbar pedicle screw placement using the oblique or “owl's-eye” view and novel guidance technology

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2010.4.spine09580 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 509-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Cary Idler ◽

Kevin W. Rolfe ◽

Josef E. Gorek

Keyword(s):

Pedicle Screw ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Guidance System ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Screw Insertion ◽

Percutaneous Pedicle Screw ◽

Clinical Series ◽

Lumbar Pedicle

Object This study was conducted to assess the in vivo safety and accuracy of percutaneous lumbar pedicle screw placement using the owl's-eye view of the pedicle axis and a new guidance technology system that facilitates orientation of the C-arm into the appropriate fluoroscopic view and the pedicle cannulation tool in the corresponding trajectory. Methods A total of 326 percutaneous pedicle screws were placed from L-3 to S-1 in 85 consecutive adult patients. Placement was performed using simple coaxial imaging of the pedicle with the owl's-eye fluoroscopic view. NeuroVision, a new guidance system using accelerometer technology, helped align the C-arm trajectory into the owl's-eye view and the cannulation tool in the same trajectory. Postoperative fine-cut CT scans were acquired to assess screw position. Medical records were reviewed for complications. Results Five of 326 screws breached a pedicle cortex—all breaches were less than 2 mm—for an accuracy rate of 98.47%. Five screws violated an adjacent facet joint. All were at the S-1 superior facet and included in a fusion. No screw violated an adjacent mobile facet or disc space. There were no cases of new or worsening neurological symptoms or deficits for an overall clinical accuracy of 100%. Conclusions The owl's-eye technique of coaxial pedicle imaging with the C-arm fluoroscopy, facilitated by NeuroVision, is a safe and accurate means by which to place percutaneous pedicle screws for degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. This is the largest series reported to use the oblique or owl's-eye projection for percutaneous pedicle screw insertion. The accuracy of percutaneous screw insertion with this technique meets or exceeds that of other reported clinical series or techniques.

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Minimally invasive guidewireless, navigated pedicle screw placement: a technical report and case series

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2017.5.focus17200 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. E9 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Brandon W. Smith ◽

Jacob R. Joseph ◽

Michael Kirsch ◽

Mary Oakley Strasser ◽

Jacob Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Pedicle Screw ◽

Kirschner Wire ◽

Case Series ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery ◽

Screw Insertion ◽

Percutaneous Pedicle Screw

OBJECTIVEPercutaneous pedicle screw insertion (PPSI) is a mainstay of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Traditionally, PPSI is a fluoroscopy-guided, multistep process involving traversing the pedicle with a Jamshidi needle, placement of a Kirschner wire (K-wire), placement of a soft-tissue dilator, pedicle tract tapping, and screw insertion over the K-wire. This study evaluates the accuracy and safety of PPSI with a simplified 2-step process using a navigated awl-tap followed by navigated screw insertion without use of a K-wire or fluoroscopy.METHODSPatients undergoing PPSI utilizing the K-wire–less technique were identified. Data were extracted from the electronic medical record. Complications associated with screw placement were recorded. Postoperative radiographs as well as CT were evaluated for accuracy of pedicle screw placement.RESULTSThirty-six patients (18 male and 18 female) were included. The patients’ mean age was 60.4 years (range 23.8–78.4 years), and their mean body mass index was 28.5 kg/m2 (range 20.8–40.1 kg/m2). A total of 238 pedicle screws were placed. A mean of 6.6 pedicle screws (range 4–14) were placed over a mean of 2.61 levels (range 1–7). No pedicle breaches were identified on review of postoperative radiographs. In a subgroup analysis of the 25 cases (69%) in which CT scans were performed, 173 screws were assessed; 170 (98.3%) were found to be completely within the pedicle, and 3 (1.7%) demonstrated medial breaches of less than 2 mm (Grade B). There were no complications related to PPSI in this cohort.CONCLUSIONSThis streamlined 2-step K-wire–less, navigated PPSI appears safe and accurate and avoids the need for radiation exposure to surgeon and staff.

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Clinical Assessment of Percutaneous Lumbar Pedicle Screw Placement Using the O-Arm Multidimensional Surgical Imaging System

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0b013e318237a829 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 70 (4) ◽

pp. 990-995 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

John K. Houten ◽

Rani Nasser ◽

Nrupen Baxi

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Pedicle Screw ◽

Imaging System ◽

Intraoperative Imaging ◽

Lumbar Fusion ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Percutaneous Pedicle Screw ◽

Clinical Series

Abstract BACKGROUND: Increasing popularity of minimally invasive surgery for lumbar fusion has led to dependence upon intraoperative fluoroscopy for pedicle screw placement, because limited muscle dissection does not expose the bony anatomy necessary for traditional, freehand techniques nor for registration steps in image-guidance techniques. This has raised concerns about cumulative radiation exposure for both surgeon and operating room staff. The recent introduction of the O-arm Multidimensional Surgical Imaging System allows for percutaneous placement of pedicle screws, but there is limited clinical experience with the technique and data examining its accuracy. OBJECTIVE: We present the first large clinical series of percutaneous screw placement using navigation of O-arm imaging and compare the results with the fluoroscopy-guided method. METHODS: A retrospective review of a 24-month period identified patients undergoing minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion. The O-arm was introduced in the middle of this period and was used for all subsequent patients. Accuracy of screw placement was assessed by examination of axial computed tomography or O-arm scans. RESULTS: The fluoroscopy group included 141 screws in 42 patients, and the O-arm group included 205 screws in 52 patients. The perforation rate was 12.8% in the fluoroscopy group and 3% in the O-arm group (P < .001). Single-level O-arm procedures took a mean 200 (153–241) minutes, whereas fluoroscopy took 221 (178–302) minutes (P < .03). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous pedicle screw placement with the O-arm Multidimensional Intraoperative Imaging System is a safe and effective technique and provided improved overall accuracy and reduced operative time compared with conventional fluoroscopic techniques.

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True accuracy of percutaneous pedicle screw placement in thoracic and lumbar spinal fixation with a CT-based navigation system: Intraoperative and postoperative assessment of 763 percutaneous pedicle screws

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience ◽

10.1016/j.jocn.2020.07.012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Jun Ouchida ◽

Tokumi Kanemura ◽

Kotaro Satake ◽

Hiroaki Nakashima ◽

Naoki Segi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pedicle Screw ◽

Navigation System ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Spinal Fixation ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Postoperative Assessment ◽

Percutaneous Pedicle Screw ◽

Lumbar Spinal

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First in-human report of the clinical accuracy of thoracolumbar percutaneous pedicle screw placement using augmented reality guidance

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2021.5.focus21217 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. E10

Author(s):

Alexander T. Yahanda ◽

Emelia Moore ◽

Wilson Z. Ray ◽

Brenton Pennicooke ◽

Jack W. Jennings ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Augmented Reality ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Pedicle Screw ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Spinal Tumors ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Percutaneous Pedicle Screw ◽

Clinical Accuracy ◽

The Mean

OBJECTIVE Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology that has great potential for guiding the safe and accurate placement of spinal hardware, including percutaneous pedicle screws. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy of 63 percutaneous pedicle screws placed at a single institution using an AR head-mounted display (ARHMD) system. METHODS Retrospective analyses were performed for 9 patients who underwent thoracic and/or lumbar percutaneous pedicle screw placement guided by ARHMD technology. Clinical accuracy was assessed via the Gertzbein-Robbins scale by the authors and by an independent musculoskeletal radiologist. Thoracic pedicle subanalysis was also performed to assess screw accuracy based on pedicle morphology. RESULTS Nine patients received thoracic or lumbar AR-guided percutaneous pedicle screws. The mean age at the time of surgery was 71.9 ± 11.5 years and the mean number of screws per patient was 7. Indications for surgery were spinal tumors (n = 4, 44.4%), degenerative disease (n = 3, 33.3%), spinal deformity (n = 1, 11.1%), and a combination of deformity and infection (n = 1, 11.1%). Presenting symptoms were most commonly low-back pain (n = 7, 77.8%) and lower-extremity weakness (n = 5, 55.6%), followed by radicular lower-extremity pain, loss of lower-extremity sensation, or incontinence/urinary retention (n = 3 each, 33.3%). In all, 63 screws were placed (32 thoracic, 31 lumbar). The accuracy for these screws was 100% overall; all screws were Gertzbein-Robbins grade A or B (96.8% grade A, 3.2% grade B). This accuracy was achieved in the thoracic spine regardless of pedicle cancellous bone morphology. CONCLUSIONS AR-guided surgery demonstrated a 100% accuracy rate for the insertion of 63 percutaneous pedicle screws in 9 patients (100% rate of Gertzbein-Robbins grade A or B screw placement). Using an ARHMS system for the placement of percutaneous pedicle screws showed promise, but further validation using a larger cohort of patients across multiple surgeons and institutions will help to determine the true accuracy enabled by this technology.

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Comparative Analysis of Pedicle Screw Placement in Children with Congenital Scoliosis: Freehand Technique (in vivo) and Guide Templates (in vitro)

Traumatology and Orthopedics of Russia ◽

10.21823/2311-2905-2018-24-4-53-63 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 53-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. N. Kokushin ◽

S. V. Vissarionov ◽

A. G. Baindurashvili ◽

A. V. Ovechkina ◽

M. S. Poznovich

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Pedicle Screw ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Congenital Scoliosis ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Placement Accuracy ◽

Thoracolumbar Transition

Objective.To evaluate accuracy between pedicle screw placement in vertebral bodies achieved in vivo with freehand techniques versus their placement in vertebrae plastic models achieved in vitro with the use of guide templates, in toddlers and preschool children with congenital kyphoscoliosis of the thoracolumbar transition and lumbar spine amid the vertebral malformation.Material and Methods. The research is based on a retrospective analysis of the results of treatment of 10 patients with congenital kyphoscoliosis of the thoracolumbar transition and lumbar spine amid the vertebral malformation. Age – from 2 years 2 months to 6 years 8 months old (mean 3 years 8 months old), gender – 6 boys, 4 girls. Based on the postoperative multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) of the spine, the pedicle screws placement accuracy of the correcting multi-support metalwork was evaluated. These patients constituted the 1st research group (in vivo group). The 2nd research group (in vitro group) was formed from 27 vertebrae plastic models with pedicle screws inserted in them with the use of guide templates. The placement accuracy of the installed pedicle support elements was assessed based on the S.D. Gertzbein et al. scale (1990).Results. In the 1st group, there were 52 pedicle screws placed. The screw placement accuracy according to the rate of misplacement, as follows: 53.8% in Grade 0, 25% in Grade I, 11.6% in Grade II, 9.6% in Grade III. The number of screws with the rate of misplacement in Grade 0 + Grade I was 41 (78.8%). In the 2nd group, there were 54 screws placed and slightly larger than the 1st group. The screw placement accuracy according to the rate of misplacement was 94.4% in Grade 0, 1.9% in Grade I, 3.7% in Grade II, respectively. The number of screws with the rate of misplacement in Grade 0 + Grade I was 52 (96.3%).Conclusions.Comparative analysis showed that the number of pedicle screws successfully placed in vertebrae plastic models in children with congenital deformities of the thoracolumbar transition and lumbar spine achieved with the use of guide templates was significantly higher than the number of screws successfully placed with freehand techniques (96.3% versus 80.8%, p = 0.011). The results obtained with method of navigation templates in vitro showed high precision and accuracy of pedicle screw placement which gives the prospect for using this type of navigation in clinical practice in toddlers with congenital scoliosis.

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Thoracic, Lumbar, and Sacral Pedicle Screw Placement Using Stryker-Ziehm Virtual Screw Technology and Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver 3: Technical Note

10.20944/preprints201804.0064.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Praveen Satarasinghe ◽

D. Kojo Hamilton ◽

Michael Jace Tarver ◽

Robert J. Buchanan ◽

Michael T. Koltz

Keyword(s):

Pedicle Screw ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Technical Note ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Anatomical Landmarks ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Intraoperative Ct ◽

Spine Stabilization

Object. Utilization of pedicle screws (PS) for spine stabilization is common in spinal surgery. With reliance on visual inspection of anatomical landmarks prior to screw placement, the free-hand technique requires a high level of surgeon skill and precision. Three-dimensional (3D) computer-assisted virtual neuronavigation improves the precision of PS placement and minimize steps. Methods. Twenty-three patients with degenerative, traumatic, or neoplastic pathologies received treatment via a novel three-step PS technique that utilizes a navigated power driver in combination with virtual screw technology. 1) Following visualization of neuroanatomy using intraoperative CT, a navigated 3-mm match stick drill bit was inserted at anatomical entry point with screen projection showing virtual screw. 2) Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver with appropriate tap was used to access vertebral body through pedicle with screen projection again showing virtual screw. 3) Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver with actual screw was used with screen projection showing the same virtual screw. One hundred and forty-four consecutive screws were inserted using this three-step, navigated driver, virtual screw technique. Results. Only 1 screw needed intraoperative revision after insertion using the three-step, navigated driver, virtual PS technique. This amounts to a 0.69% revision rate. One hundred percent of patients had intraoperative CT reconstructed images to confirm hardware placement. Conclusions. Pedicle screw placement utilizing the Stryker-Ziehm neuronavigation virtual screw technology with a three step, navigated power drill technique is safe and effective.

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Percutaneous pedicle screw placement with computer-navigated mapping in place of Kirschner wires

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2013.7.spine121157 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 608-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Thomas J. Gianaris ◽

Gregory M. Helbig ◽

Eric M. Horn

Keyword(s):

Pedicle Screw ◽

Navigation System ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Anatomical Landmarks ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Assisted Navigation ◽

Percutaneous Pedicle Screw ◽

K Wires

Object Percutaneous pedicle screw insertion techniques are commonly used to treat a variety of spinal disorders. Typically, Kirschner (K)-wires are used to guide the insertion of taps and screws during placement since the normal anatomical landmarks are not visualized. The use of K-wires adds risks, such as vascular and nerve injuries as well as increased radiation exposure given the use of fluoroscopy. The authors describe a series of patients who had percutaneous pedicle screws placed using a new computer-assisted navigation technique without the need for K-wires. Methods Minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw placement in the thoracic and lumbar spine was performed in a consecutive series of 15 patients for a variety of spinal pathologies. Intraoperative 3D CT images were obtained and used with a computer-assisted navigation system to insert an awl-tap into each pedicle. The tap location in the pedicle was marked with the navigation software, and the awl-tap was then removed. The navigation system was used to identify each landmark to insert the pedicle screw. Connecting rods were then inserted percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance. Postoperative CT scans were obtained in each patient to evaluate screw placement. Results On postprocedure scanning, only 1 screw had a minor lateral and superior breach that was asymptomatic. To date, there have been no hardware failures. Conclusions Percutaneous pedicle screws can be placed effectively and safely without the use of K-wires.

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Maintenance of Integrity of Upper Facet Joints during Simulated Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Insertion Using 2D versus 3D Planning

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A Central European Neurosurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1681042 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 80 (04) ◽

pp. 269-276

Author(s):

Eleftherios Archavlis ◽

Florian Ringel ◽

Sven Kantelhardt

Keyword(s):

Pedicle Screw ◽

Facet Joint ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Entry Point ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Pedicle Screw Placement ◽

Data Set ◽

Screw Insertion ◽

Percutaneous Pedicle Screw ◽

Lumbar Pedicle

Background No studies have directly and quantitatively compared two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) planning as applied during conventional percutaneous or navigated percutaneous pedicle screw placement. Study Aims This lumbar pedicle-based stabilization simulation study aimed to investigate the risk of upper facet joint violation (FJV) during posterior percutaneous pedicle screw placement with conventional 2D planning of screw implantation (as a model for fluoroscopically guided screws) compared with 3D planning (as used with navigation techniques). Methods The placement of monosegmental lumbar pedicle screws using the data sets of 250 consecutive patients was simulated. Conventional surgery (using 2D fluoroscopic images anteroposterior and lateral view) was compared with screw placement using the 3D reconstruction of the planning mode of the same software. Results The 2D planning resulted in 140 upper FJVs (28% of cases), whereas 3D planning resulted in only 24 upper FJVs (4.8% of cases) (p < 0.05). Among those spinal segments with severe facet joint arthropathy, Pathria grades 3 and 4, FJV was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the 2D-planned screws (64.7%) than in the 3D-planned screws (11.2%). A more lateral (mean distance: 3.5 mm) and inferior (mean distance: 2.5 mm) offset of the pedicle entry point and a larger medial angulation of the trajectory (mean angle: 9 degrees) were observed for the 3D-planned screws at all levels. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the use of 2D planning is associated with a higher risk of upper FJV than when a 3D imaging data set is used. Using a more lateral and inferior entry point for fluoroscopically guided pedicle screws could reduce the rate of FJV in percutaneous pedicle screw placement.

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