Anterior transvertebral interbody cage with posterior transdiscal pedicle screw instrumentation for high-grade spondylolisthesis

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Forest Beringer ◽  
Jean-Pierre Mobasser ◽  
Dean Karahalios ◽  
Eric Alfred Potts

✓Adult high-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis represents the extreme end of the spectrum for spondylolisthesis and is consequently rarely encountered. Surgical management of high-grade spondylolisthesis requires constructs capable of resisting the shear forces at the slipped L5–S1 interspace. The severity of the slip, sacral inclination, and slip angle may make conventional approaches to 360° fusion difficult or hazardous. Transdiscal pedicle screw fixation, transvertebral fibular graft fusion, and transvertebral cage fixation are techniques that have been developed to establish anterior column load sharing and to resist shear forces at the L5–S1 interspace, given the anatomical constraints accompanying high-grade spondylolisthesis. In this technical note the authors describe the procedure for implanting an in situ anterior L5–S1 transvertebral cage and performing L4–5 anterior lumbar interbody fusion, followed by placement of posterior S1–L5 vertebral body transdiscal pedicle screws for management of high-grade spondylolisthesis.

2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedat Çagli ◽  
Neil R. Crawford ◽  
Volker K. H. Sonntag ◽  
Curtis A. Dickman

Object. The authors sought to determine the biomechanical effectiveness of threaded interbody cages or dowels compared with that achieved using pedicle screw instrumentation in resisting Grade I lumbar spine degenerative spondylolisthesis. Methods. Thirty-three levels obtained from seven cadaveric lumbar spines were instrumented with cages or dowels, pedicle screw/rod instrumentation, or both. Entire specimens were loaded with nonconstraining torques. Each level was loaded with anteroposterior shear forces while an optical system was used to measure the specimen's motion at individual levels. Pedicle screw/rods outperformed interbody cages and dowels in treating spondylolisthesis. Cages or dowels alone provided only moderate biomechanical stability, and their effectiveness depended heavily on the integrity of the ligaments and remaining annulus, whereas the success of pedicle screw fixation relied predominantly on the integrity of the bone for solid fixation. Little biomechanical difference was demonstrated between cages and dowels; both devices were susceptible to loosening with cyclic fatigue. Conclusions. Biomechanically, cages or dowels alone were suboptimal for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis, especially compared with pedicle screw/rods. Threaded cages or dowels used together with pedicle screws/rods created the most stable construct.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Hart ◽  
Christopher M. Domes ◽  
Brady Goodwin ◽  
Charles R. D'Amato ◽  
Jung U. Yoo ◽  
...  

Object The ideal surgical management of high-grade spondylolisthesis remains unclear. Concerns regarding the original Bohlman transsacral interbody fusion technique with stand-alone autologous fibular strut include late graft fracture and incomplete reduction of lumbosacral kyphosis. The authors' goal was to evaluate the radiographic and surgical outcomes of patients treated for high-grade spondylolisthesis with either transsacral S-1 screws or standard pedicle screw fixation augmenting the Bohlman posterior transsacral interbody fusion technique. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent fusion for high-grade spondylolisthesis in which a Bohlman oblique posterior interbody fusion augmented with either transsacral or standard pedicle screw fixation was performed by 4 spine surgeons was completed. Estimated blood loss, operating time, perioperative complications, and need for revision surgery were evaluated. Upright pre- and postsurgical lumbar spine radiographs were compared for slip percent and slip angle. Results Sixteen patients (12 female and 4 male) with an average age of 29 years (range 9–66 years) were evaluated. The average clinical follow-up was 78 months (range 5–137 months) and the average radiographic follow-up was 48 months (range 5–108 months). Ten L4–S1 and 6 L5–S1 fusions were performed. Five fibular struts and 11 titanium mesh cages were used for interbody fusion. Six patients had isolated transsacral screws placed, with 2 (33%) of the 6 requiring revision surgery for nonunion. No nonunions were observed in patients undergoing spanning pedicle screw fixation augmenting the interbody graft. Six patients experienced perioperative complications including 3 iliac crest site infections, 1 L-5 radiculopathy without motor involvement, 1 deep vein thrombosis, and 1 epidural hematoma requiring irrigation and debridement. The average estimated blood loss and operating times were 763 ml and 360 minutes, respectively. Slip percent improved from an average of 62% to 37% (n = 16; p < 0.01) and slip angle improved from an average of 18° to 8° (n = 16; p < 0.01). No patient experienced L-5 or other motor deficit postoperatively. Conclusions The modified Bohlman technique for treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis has reproducible outcomes among multiple surgeons and results in significant improvements in slip percent and slip angle. Fusion rates were high (14 of 16; 88%), especially with spanning instrumentation augmenting the oblique interbody fusion. Rates of L-5 motor deficit were low in comparison with techniques involving reduction of the anterolisthesis.


Author(s):  
Samuel Q. Tia ◽  
Jennifer M. Buckley ◽  
Thuc-Quyen Nguyen ◽  
Jeffrey C. Lotz ◽  
Shane Burch

Long posterior fusion constructs in the lumbar spine cause substantial posteriorly directed loading of the supporting pedicle screws, particularly during patient bending activities. Although there are numerous documented accounts of clinical failure at the pedicle screw-bone interface [1,2], the in situ pull-out strength of pedicle screws in long surgical constructs has not been characterized. Previous biomechanical studies have quantified pedicle screw pull-out force in cadaveric models through destructive testing or in nondestructive cases, through the use of custom-machined pedicle screws instrumented with strain gages [3–6]. However, these techniques involve altering screw geometry and may fail to properly simulate in vivo mechanical loading conditions. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a sensor system for measuring pedicle screw pull-out forces in long posterior constructs in situ during multi-segmental cadaveric testing.


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.


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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Shea ◽  
James J. Doulgeris ◽  
Sabrina A. Gonzalez-Blohm ◽  
William E. Lee ◽  
Kamran Aghayev ◽  
...  

Many successful attempts to increase pullout strength of pedicle screws in osteoporotic bone have been accompanied with an increased risk of catastrophic damage to the patient. To avoid this, a single-armed expansive pedicle screw was designed to increase fixation strength while controlling postfailure damage away from the nerves surrounding the pedicle. The screw was then subsequently tested in two severely osteoporotic models: one representing trabecular bone (with and without the presence of polymethylmethacrylate) and the other representing a combination of trabecular and cortical bone. Maximum pullout strength, stiffness, energy to failure, energy to removal, and size of the resulting block damage were statistically compared among conditions. While expandable pedicle screws produced maximum pullout forces less than or comparable to standard screws, they required a higher amount of energy to be fully removed from both models. Furthermore, damage to the cortical layer in the composite test blocks was smaller in all measured directions for tests involving expandable pedicle screws than those involving standard pedicle screws. This indicates that while initial fixation may not differ in the presence of cortical bone, the expandable pedicle screw offers an increased level of postfailure stability and safety to patients awaiting revision surgery.


2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 520-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles G. Fisher ◽  
Vic Sahajpal ◽  
Ory Keynan ◽  
Michael Boyd ◽  
Douglas Graeb ◽  
...  

Object The authors evaluated the accuracy of placement and safety of pedicle screws in the treatment of unstable thoracic spine fractures. Methods Patients with unstable fractures between T-1 and T-10, which had been treated with pedicle screw (PS) placement by one of five spine surgeons at a referral center were included in a prospective cohort study. Postoperative computed tomography scans were obtained using 3-mm axial cuts with sagittal reconstructions. Three independent reviewers (C.B., V.S., and D.G.) assessed PS position using a validated grading scale. Comparison of failure rates among cases grouped by selected baseline variables were performed using Pearson chi-square tests. Independent peri- and postoperative surveillance for local and general complications was performed to assess safety. Twenty-three patients with unstable thoracic fractures treated with 201 thoracic PSs were analyzed. Only PSs located between T-1 and T-12 were studied, with the majority of screws placed between T-5 and T-10. Of the 201 thoracic PSs, 133 (66.2%) were fully contained within the pedicle wall. The remaining 68 screws (33.8%) violated the pedicle wall. Of these, 36 (52.9%) were lateral, 27 (39.7%) were medial, and five (7.4%) were anterior perforations. No superior, inferior, anteromedial, or anterolateral perforations were found. When local anatomy and the clinical safety of screws were considered, 98.5% (198 of 201) of the screws were probably in an acceptable position. No baseline variables influenced the incidence of perforations. There were no adverse neurological, vascular, or visceral injuries detected intraoperatively or postoperatively. Conclusions In the vast majority of cases, PSs can be placed in an acceptable and safe position by fellowship-trained spine surgeons when treating unstable thoracic spine fractures. However, an unacceptable screw position can occur.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document