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We present the surgical approaches and short-term (2 years postoperative) results pertaining to circumferential minimally invasive spine surgery (CMIS) with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and percutaneous pedicle screw application for adult idiopathic scoliosis (AS). We enrolled eight patients with AS who underwent CMIS (2018–2020) and examined the number of fused levels, upper instrumented vertebra, lower instrumented vertebra, number of LLIF-treated segments, number of preoperative intervertebral fusions, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, various spinopelvic parameters, Oswestry Disability Index, low back pain, visual analog scale (VAS), leg VAS, bone fusion rate, and perioperative complications. The upper instrumented vertebra was T4, T7, T8, and T9 in two cases, whereas lower instrumented vertebra was the pelvis in all the cases. The average numbers of fixed vertebrae and segments that underwent LLIF were 13.3 ± 2.0 and 4.6 ± 0.7, respectively. All spinopelvic parameters improved significantly after surgery (thoracic kyphosis: P < 0.05, lumbar lordosis, cobb angle, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis, sagittal vertical axis: P < 0.001), and good alignment was achieved. The Oswestry Disability Index and VAS scores improved significantly (P < 0.001). The bone fusion rates achieved in the lumbosacral and thoracic spine were 100% and 88%, respectively. Only 1 patient showed postoperative coronal imbalance. The 2-year postoperative results of CMIS for AS were good, and spontaneous bone fusion was confirmed in the thoracic spine without bone grafting. In this procedure, sufficient intervertebral release with LLIF and a percutaneous pedicle screw device translation technique enabled adequate global alignment correction. Therefore, correcting the global imbalance of the coronal and sagittal planes is more crucial than correcting scoliosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The purpose of this study was to use radiological evaluation to compare the incidence of instrument-related complications in SPS of LLIF. • We found no difference in implant-related complications, and the fluoroscopy technique was superior only in terms of average operation time. • There was no significant difference in PPS accuracy between fluoroscopy and intraoperative CT navigation, but intraoperative CT navigation during SPS appears to have a more significant impact on avoiding FJV than avoiding PPS deviation. There are no reports comparing fluoroscopy and intraoperative computed tomography (CT) navigation in lateral single-position surgery (SPS) in terms of surgical outcomes or implant-related complications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use radiological evaluation to compare the incidence of instrument-related complications in SPS of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) using fluoroscopy with that using CT navigation techniques. We evaluated 99 patients who underwent lateral SPS. Twenty-six patients had a percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) inserted under fluoroscopy (SPS-C group), and 73 patients had a PPS inserted under intraoperative CT navigation (SPS-O group). Average operation time was shorter in the SPS-C group than in the SPS-O group (88.4 ± 24.4 min versus 111.9 ± 35.3 min, respectively, P = 0.003). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative thigh symptoms or reoperation rate. The screw insertion angle of the SPS-C group was smaller than that of the SPS-O group, but there was no significant difference in the rate of screw misplacement (4.6% versus 3.4%, respectively, P = 0.556). By contrast, facet joint violation (FJV) was significantly lower in the SPS-O group than in the SPS-C group (8.4% versus 21.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). While fluoroscopy was superior to intraoperative CT navigation in terms of mean surgery time, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of PPS insertion between fluoroscopy and intraoperative CT navigation. The advantage of intraoperative CT navigation over fluoroscopy is that it significantly decreases the occurrence of FJV in SPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the sequential magnetic resonance imaging changes of indirect neural decompression after minimally invasive lumbar lateral interbody fusion (LIF) combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) according to the severity of preoperative lumbar spinal stenosis. A total of 43 patients (mean age, 68.7 years; 16 men and 27 women) with DS who had undergone LIF and closed reduction with PPS fixation were enrolled. The intervertebral levels were divided into the moderate stenosis (MS) group (preoperative cross-sectional area [CSA] of the thecal sac >50 mm2) and severe stenosis (SS) group (CSA ≤50 mm2). The CSA, ligamentum flavum thickness, and diameter of the thecal sac at the affected level were measured on cross-sectional magnetic resonance images at baseline, immediately postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. For the 31 and 29 intervertebral levels in the MS and SS groups, the mean CSA at baseline, immediately postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively was 76.9 mm2 and 35.8 mm2, 104.3 mm2 and 81.4 mm2, and 130.9 mm2 and 105.7 mm2, respectively. The mean ligamentum flavum thicknesses at 2 years postoperatively became thinner than that immediately after surgery in both groups (P < 0.01). The mean diameter of the thecal sac at 2 years was longer than that immediately after surgery in both groups (MS group, P < 0.05; SS group, P < 0.01) The expansion ratio of the CSA at 2 years postoperatively was significantly greater in the SS group than that in the MS group (P < 0.01). Sequential enlargement of the spinal canal was obtained by the thinning of the ligamentum flavum after LIF and PPS fixation in patients with DS with both mild and severe stenosis. The effect of indirect neural decompression was equivalent even in those with severe lumbar spinal stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of stage III Kummell's disease without neurological symptoms is increasing in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures. However, the surgical method is still controversial in this condition. This report presented a case of Kummell's disease in which percutaneous bone cement-augmented short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed, providing a reference for the surgical approach. The patient was a 72-year-old female who presented unexplained lower back pain accompanied with limited mobility for the past three months. Based on her medical history, physical examinations, and imaging studies, it was confirmed that she had Kummell's disease in stage III without neurological symptoms. We treated her with percutaneous bone cement-augmented short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty on the symptomatic vertebrae. The majority of patients with stage III Kummell's disease have severe osteoporosis, which result in failure of the internal fixation and a series of other complications. Maintaining the stability of the internal fixation system is crucial, especially after screwing and subsequent locking. When augmented with bone cement, the grip and pull-out resistance of the percutaneous pedicle screws enhance greatly. Simultaneously, percutaneous vertebroplasty on the symptomatic vertebrae can immediately support the spine unit's stability mechanically and maintain the shape of the vertebrae after reduction. The percutaneous bone cement-augmented short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty on the symptomatic vertebrae is an effective treatment for stage III Kummell's disease without neurological symptoms. It can effectively restore the vertebral height, correct the kyphotic deformities, improve spinal canal stenosis, and achieve satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes. • The majority of patients with stage III Kummell's disease have severe osteoporosis, which result in failure of the internal fixation and a series of other complications. • Maintaining the stability of the internal fixation system is crucial, especially after screwing and subsequent locking. • When augmented with bone cement, the grip and pull-out resistance of the percutaneous pedicle screws enhance greatly. • Simultaneously, percutaneous vertebroplasty on the symptomatic vertebrae can immediately support the spine unit's stability mechanically and maintain the shape of the vertebrae after reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thoracolumbar corpectomy and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation is becoming the standard method for correcting and stabilizing malalignment of spine, as is often seen in osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Nowadays, this procedure can be performed in a single lateral position with navigation. For an osteoporotic spine, accurate rod bending is necessary to prevent screw back-out. We describe a new technique using the spinal rod-bending system in a single lateral position. A 71-year-old woman presented with severe back pain and impending paraplegia secondary to L1 osteoporotic vertebral fracture. We performed minimally invasive L1 corpectomy with an expandable vertebral cage and short-segment PPS with computer-assisted rod bending in a single lateral position under navigation guidance. The patient was successfully treated with surgery, and her low back pain improved. Her clinical outcomes improved; the Oswestry Disability Index went from 54% to 26%, and her low back pain visual analog scale score went from 78 mm to 19 mm at the 2-year final follow-up. Minimally invasive surgery thoracolumbar corpectomy using a computer-assisted spinal rod-bending system is a valuable technique to reduce screw back-out for osteoporotic vertebrae. With this new technique, the rod bending becomes easy, even for long PPS fusion with the severe osteoporotic or deformity patient in a single lateral position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aim was to compare clinical outcomes between patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) and cortical bone trajectory (CBT) by a single surgeon. This was a retrospective matched-cohort study of 77 patients (mean age, 71.7 years; 56% female) who underwent TLIF using CBT or PPS. Thirty-nine consecutive patients in the CBT group and 38 patients in the PPS group were matched for age, sex, and fused levels. All CBT screws were inserted by using a three-dimensional patient-specific guide (MySpine MC, Medacta). Perioperative outcomes of operative time, estimated blood loss, numeric rating scale scores, and serum concentration of creatine kinase were compared between the 2 groups. At 1 year postoperatively, clinical outcomes and radiographic outcomes, including cage subsidence, screw loosening, and fusion rates, were compared between the 2 groups. The numeric rating scale scores on postoperative days 3 and 7 and serum creatine kinase levels on postoperative days 1 and 3 were significantly lower in the CBT group than in the PPS group (all P < 0.005). There were no significant intergroup differences in operation time and estimated blood loss. At postoperative 1 year, there were no significant differences in cage subsidence, screw loosening, and fusion rates between the CBT group and PPS group. Clinical outcomes were equivalent between the 2 groups. The CBT technique using three-dimensional patient-specific guides resulted in lower perioperative pain and quicker recovery after surgery, which suggests that CBT is a less invasive procedure than PPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Context: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with percutaneous posterior screw fixation are two techniques used to address degenerative lumbar pathologies. Traditionally, these anterior-posterior (AP) surgeries involve repositioning the patient from the supine or lateral decubitus position to prone for posterior fixation. To reduce operative time (OpTime) and subsequent complications of prolonged anesthesia, single-position lumbar surgery (SPLS) is a novel, minimally invasive alternative performed entirely from the lateral decubitus position.Purpose: Assess the perioperative safety and efficacy of single position AP lumbar fusion surgery (SPLS).Study Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort study.Patient Sample: Three hundred and ninety patients undergoing AP surgery were included, of which 237 underwent SPLS and 153 were in the Flip group.Outcome Measures: Outcome measures included levels fused, percentage of cases including L5-S1 fusion, fluoroscopy radiation dosage, OpTime, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), and perioperative complications. Radiographic analysis included lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, and segmental LL.Methods: Patients undergoing primary ALIF and/or LLIF surgery with bilateral percutaneous pedicle screw fixation between L2-S1 were included over a 4-year period. Patients were classified as either traditional repositioned "Flip" surgery or SPLS. Outcome measures included levels fused, percentage of cases including L5-S1 fusion, fluoroscopy radiation dosage, OpTime, EBL, LOS, perioperative complications. Radiographic analysis included LL, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, and segmental LL. All measures were compared using independent samples t-tests and chi-squared analyses as appropriate with significance set at p < .05. Propensity matching was completed where demographic differences were found.Results: Three hundred and ninety patients undergoing AP surgery were included, of which 237 underwent SPLS and 153 were in the Flip group. Age, gender, BMI, and CCI were similar between groups. Levels fused (1.47 SPLS vs 1.52 Flip, p = .468) and percent cases including L5-S1 (31% SPLS, 35% Flip, p = .405) were similar between cohorts. SPLS significantly reduced OpTime (103 min vs 306 min, p < .001), EBL (97 vs 313 mL, p < .001), LOS (1.71 vs 4.12 days, p < .001), and fluoroscopy radiation dosage (32 vs 88 mGy, p < .001) compared to Flip. Perioperative complications were similar between cohorts with the exception of postoperative ileus, which was significantly lower in the SPLS group (0% vs 5%, p < .001). There was no significant difference in wound, vascular injury, neurological complications, or Venous Thrombotic Event. There was no significant difference found in 90-day return to operating room (OR).Conclusions: SPLS improves operative efficiency in addition to reducing blood loss, LOS and ileus in this large cohort study, while maintaining safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure between mini-open pedicle screw (MPS) fixation with the Wiltse approach and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation in treatment of young and middle-aged patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. Of 60 patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fractures treated in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2018, 30 were randomly assigned to the MPS group and 30 were randomly assigned to the PPS group. Clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure were compared between the 2 groups. The average age of patients was 42.2 ± 6.7 years in the MPS group and 43.0 ± 6.9 years in the PPS group (P = 0.668). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative visual analog scale score for back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index score. The vertebral body height and vertebral body angle of the MPS group were significantly better than those of the PPS group at the last follow-up. There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement between the MPS group and the PPS group; the facet joint violation was significantly higher in the PPS group. The average radiation exposure dosage was lower in the MPS group. Both MPS fixation with the Wiltse approach and PPS fixation are safe and effective in the treatment of single-segment thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. Nevertheless, considering the surgical duration, radiation exposure, facet joint violation, vertebral body height, and vertebral body angle at the last follow-up, MPS fixation with the Wiltse approach is a better choice than PPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Percutaneous screws with a navigation did not completely prevent screw deviation. • Intraoperative screw replacement occurred in 1.3% of all screw insertions. • To confirm placement with real-time assistance even under a navigation is necessary. To investigate intraoperative reinsertion of percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) with intraoperative CT-based navigation and to evaluate the rate of deviation of PPS at postoperative radiographic examination. Seven hundred sixty-three screws were inserted in 138 patients. We investigated the rate of occurrence of intraoperative PPS reinsertion after the diagnosis of screw deviation by fluoroscopy and the causes of each screw deviation. The subsequent distribution of PPS deviation was evaluated by postoperative CT. We also assess the difference in variance between the group judged to be PPS misplaced intra-/postoperatively (IOD group/POD group) and appropriate PPS placement (ND group). Among all the screws inserted, 10 (1.3%) were diagnosed as being deviated by fluoroscopy during surgery, and 74 (9.7%) screws were found to be deviated at postoperative CT evaluation. We found more pedicle screw mismatch in the POD group than in the ND group (52.7 vs 11.0%, P < 0.001). The distance between the screw and the reference was greater in the IOD group than that in the ND group (1.4 ± 1.2 vs 2.4 ± 1.1 vertebral levels, P = 0.016). In one patient in the IOD group, a motor function deficit was observed postoperatively. PPS fixation under intraoperative CT-based navigation did not prevent screw deviation completely. It is necessary to consider errors that occur during surgery and to confirm placement with real-time assistance such as fluoroscopy even in a surgery performed under CT navigation assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Surgical treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) is challenging. • A new minimally invasive technique of posterior spinal fusion was performed for OVF. • This technique would be beneficial for elderly or immunocompromised patients. Surgical treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) has been challenging for spine surgeons, because there are potential risks of instrumentation failure; such as screw loosening, loss of correction, or pseudarthrosis, due to bone fragility in elderly patients with several comorbidities. A 68-year-old female presented with a severe low back pain and bilateral thigh pain. She had a history of systemic scleroderma, which was complicated by interstitial lung disease. Although she initially underwent non-surgical treatment with bracing for 7 months, her symptoms had progressively deteriorated, and her radiographs showed non-union at L1 and progressive kyphotic deformity at the thoracolumbar spine. Because an anterior approach was inadvisable due to interstitial lung disease, vertebroplasty with posterior spinal fusion was performed using percutaneous pedicle screws (PPS) at the upper most and lowest instrumented vertebra combined with sublaminar taping and computer-assisted rod contouring system. Good bony union was achieved with no screw loosening at 1-year follow-up. Various surgical procedures have been applied according to the fracture type or medical condition of the patient. Minimally invasive posterior spinal fusion would be a less invasive approach in patients with poor medical condition. PPS can prevent the excessive dissection of paravertebral muscles, and this is especially advantageous at the proximal and distal end of long constructs. A recent computer-assisted rod contouring system accurately matches each screw head resulting in reduced strength of the screw-bone interface. This technique would be beneficial in the elderly or immunocompromised patients with OVF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to 1) describe the use K-wireless pedicle screw insertion among adults (age ≥18 years) undergoing a minimally invasive fusion and 2) perform a systematic review (SR) of all studies that describe a navigated, K-wireless technique with 3-dimensional fluoroscopy. Patients undergoing a minimally invasive fusion requiring pedicle screw fixation for any indication were prospectively enrolled in the observational component of this study. An assessment of pedicle breach was performed independently and in duplicate based on a modification of the Belmont grading scale. Articles for the SR were identified from a structured search of Medline from inception to May 8, 2019, without restriction of language. A total of 82 pedicle screws were placed in 20 patients who underwent surgery between January and June 2014. There was no significant difference in mean operative time between the cases included in this study and a matched cohort of 20 patients undergoing surgery with 2-dimensional fluoroscopy and K-wire–assisted pedicle screw placement (95 ± 13 vs. 87 ± 20 minutes, respectively; P > 0.05). There were 2 major pedicle breaches (Belmont grade 3) in a single patient, yielding a major breach rate of 2.44%. A total of 6 papers that described the placement of 700 pedicle screws in 160 patients between May 2011 and March 2017 were included in the SR. The overall breach rate was 7.00% (n = 37). Percutaneous pedicle screws can be placed accurately and safely using 3-dimensional navigation without the use of K-wires and may confer benefits to patients and clinicians by reducing K-wire–associated complications and radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The radiation exposure for the surgeons is zero, and the patients are well-protected from excessive radiation exposure. • The operation time is shorter than the conventional method and the work of staffs is simplified. • Do not need to wear protection instruments. The surgeons are much more comfort than with the conventional method. Percutaneous pedicle screws have been used in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures for decades, and conventional fluoroscopy is commonly used to confirm the positions of the Jamshidi needles during the procedure. In this article, a modified method is reported for the placement of Jamshidi needles. The attending surgeons did not receive any radiation during the procedure and the fluoroscopy time for the patients was little. In our method, all six Jamshidi needles were placed on the pedicles and hammered 2 mm into each entry site. When the verification images were acquired, the medical personnel went behind a lead-lined wall. The positions of the needles were first reviewed and adjusted as needed based on the anterior-posterior (AP) image. Then, the C-arm was rotated and lateral images were obtained to further verify the needle placement. The rest of the screw placement procedure remained the same. The proposed technique was applied in 45 patients with thoracolumbar fractures. It took an average (range) of 5 (4–7) single-shot images to ensure all the needles were positioned at the ideal entry site and 12 (10–17) minutes to complete this step. No neurological symptoms were reported by the patients. Using the proposed technique, the radiation exposure for the surgeons is zero, and the patients are well-protected from excessive radiation exposure. This modified method of embedding all the Jamshidi needles at the entry sites before fluoroscopy is an improved technique compared with the conventional method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To observe the efficacy of intravenous, topical, and combined application of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients with thoracolumbar fracture fixed with percutaneous pedicle screw, and to identify the optimal application method of TXA. A total of 181 patients with thoracolumbar fracture treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial and were randomly classified into 3 groups, including group A (intravenous group), group B (topical group), and group C (combined group). The total blood loss (TBL), hidden blood loss (HBL), intraoperative blood loss (IBL), preoperative D-dimer, postoperative D-dimer, incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and incidence of other complications were compared and analyzed among the 3 groups. TBL, HBL, and IBL in the topical group 24 hours after operation were higher (P < 0.05) than those in the intravenous group and combined group, whereas the difference between the intravenous group and combined group was not statistically significant. Meanwhile, there was no statistically significant difference in operation time, preoperative D-dimer, and postoperative D-dimer among the 3 groups (P > 0.05), but D-dimer in all groups at 72 hours after surgery was higher than that before surgery. No DVT or other complication was observed in the patients. Preoperative intravenous drip of TXA can remarkably reduce intraoperative HBL and IBL in patients with thoracolumbar fracture fixed with percutaneous pedicle screw. Nonetheless, intraoperative topical application of TXA before wound closure is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine effects of percutaneous endoscopic débridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation as treatment for single-level thoracic tuberculosis. Methods This multicenter retrospective analysis included 75 patients with single-level thoracic tuberculosis who underwent percutaneous endoscopic débridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and were followed for >36 months between January 2012 and December 2014. Results Follow-up was 36–48 months (average 41.1 ± 2.2 months). Intraoperative blood loss was low (average 30.5 ± 7.9 mL), and bed rest time was short (average 1.5 ± 0.3 days). No recurrence was observed in all 75 patients. Except for 3 patients, almost all patients (96%) achieved grade I or II fusion in interbody bone grafting. Segmental Cobb angle was 13.5° ± 4.1° before surgery, 10.5° ± 3.7° immediately after surgery, and 11.7° ± 3.9° at 36 months of follow-up. All patients achieved complete recovery of neurologic function (American Spinal Injury Association grade E), including 15 patients with spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association grade D) before surgery. The visual analog scale and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scores significantly improved at 1, 3, 12, and 36 months of follow-up. No complications related to internal fixation occurred within the follow-up period; complication rate was 9.0%. Conclusions Median follow-up clinical experience with percutaneous endoscopic débridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation indicates that the technique is safe, effective, feasible, and minimally invasive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We sought to describe a novel modified guidewire technique used in the placement of percutaneous pedicle screws (PPSs), which enables safe and precise control of the depth of screw placement and prevents excessive advancement of the guidewire with low radiation exposure. PPSs have been widely used and have many advantages. However, inadvertent advancement of the guidewire may damage peripheral tissue or viscera, and repeated confirmation of the depth of screw and guidewire leads to extensive radiation exposure. Methods A modified guidewire with markers was used intraoperatively. The reading of the mark on the guidewire increased as the PPS advanced into the pedicle. The depth of the screw in the pedicle was calculated as the mark reading after each screw was rotated into the pedicle minus the initial mark reading. After all pedicle screws were placed, the positions of the screws were checked by C-arm or G-arm fluoroscopy. Results The modified guidewire was applied in 41 thoracic-lumbar fracture patients. The depths of the percutaneous screws were precisely controlled as planned. There were no inadvertent breaches of the anterior cortices of the vertebrae. No patients reported neurologic symptoms, and there was no screw misplacement detected. Surgeons had no radiation exposure, and patients were only exposed once to the radiation. Conclusions The modified guidewire with markers is an effective device to precisely control the depth of PPSs and prevent complications of the guidewire in the placement of pedicle screws. Highlights • The reading on the marked K-wire demonstrates the depth of the screw precisely. • Inadvertent advancement of the guidewire was implied by abnormal readings when putting screws or tapping. • During tapping and putting screws, the radiation exposure for the surgeons is zero and the patients are well protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the clinical and radiological results of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the management of spinal trauma and metastatic tumours. A retrospective analysis was performed on a series of 14 patients who were operated on from March 2009 to November 2011 by a single surgeon (RJM). Following a radiological review (CT scan/MRI), six patients underwent short segment fixation, while the remaining underwent long segment fixation. All patients had routine follow-ups at 4, 6, 12 months, and annually thereafter. Clinical examinations were conducted preoperatively and postoperatively, and the length of operation, blood loss, and postoperative pain relief were recorded. There was a single patient with an incision site complication. The mean blood loss was 269 mL. All of the parameters demonstrated no significant differences between the trauma and the tumour groups ( p = 0.10). The neurological power scores improved for all patients, with the largest increase being from a score of 2 to 4. At follow-up, the majority of patients had returned to their previous activities and had reduced pain scores. One patient suffered high pain levels from other medical conditions that were not related to the operation. Minimally invasive pedicle screw fixation is a suitable option for patients with spinal tumours and fractures, with acceptable safety and efficacy in this small retrospective patient series. We have seen favourable results in our patients, who have experienced an increased quality of life following their surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background context: Protecting cranial facet joint is a modifiable risk factor that may decrease the incidence of adjacent segment disease after lumbar spinal fusion. Percutaneously instrumented screws may more frequently violate cranial facet joints because of the potential limitation of screw entry site selection. To our knowledge, however, there is no study that has evaluated the cranial facet joint violations adjacent to minimally invasive lumbar fusion related to percutaneously placed pedicle screws. Purpose: We investigated the incidence and relating factors of cranial facet joint violations by percutaneous pedicle screws. Study design/setting: A retrospective study of prospectively collecting data. Patient sample: The sample comprises 184 pedicle screws percutaneously placed at the cranial fusion segments in 92 patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion. Outcome measures: The facet joint violations adjacent to a cranial fusion segment were examined on the postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. Methods: Two independent observers retrospectively examined all the postoperative CT images. A facet joint was considered violated if any of the following situations were encountered: pedicle screw clearly within the facet joint; pedicle screw head clearly within the facet joint; and pedicle screw and/or screw head within 1 mm from or abutting the facet joint, without clear joint involvement. Results: The incidence of the violations was 50% (46/92) of all patients and 31.5% (58/184) of all screws, which were significantly higher than the previously reported rates with the traditional open procedure (50% vs. 23.5% of all patients, p<.001; 31.5% vs. 15.2% of all screws, p<.001). The violations occurred approximately 3.3 times more frequently at the most cranial pedicle screws of L5 pedicle than at the other pedicles (70.8% vs. 42.6%, odds ratio [OR]=3.3, p=.021). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant trend toward reducing the incidence of the violations as increasing the year of surgery (OR=0.7, p=.008). The incidence showed no significant relationships with patients’ age, gender, body mass index, preoperative diagnosis, the number of fused segments, or the side of screw placement. Conclusions: Our data raise a concern about the higher incidence of cranial facet joint violations by percutaneously placed pedicle screws than that previously reported rates by traditionally instrumented screws. Furthermore, more care should be taken to avoid cranial facet joint violations when the surgeon is a novice to percutaneous pedicle screw placement and/or minimally invasive fusion surgery is considered at the L5–S1 segment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background The major limitation of computer-based three-dimensional fluoroscopy is increased radiation exposure of patients and operating room staff. Combining spine navigation with intraoperative three-dimensional fluoroscopy (io3DF) can likely overcome this shortcoming, while increasing pedicle screw accuracy rate. We compared data from a cohort of patients undergoing lumbar percutaneous pedicle screw placement using io3DF alone or in combination with spine navigation. Methods This study consisted of 168 patients who underwent percutaneous pedicle screw implantation between 2009 and 2016. The primary endpoint was to compare pedicle screw accuracy between the 2 groups. Secondary endpoints were to compare radiation exposure of patients and operating room staff, duration of surgery, and postoperative complications. Results In group 1, 438 screws were placed without navigation guidance; in group 2, 276 screws were placed with spine navigation. Mean patient age in both groups was 58.6 ± 14.1 years. The final pedicle accuracy rate was 97.9% in group 1 and 99.6% in group 2. Average radiation dose per patient was significantly larger in group 1 (571.9 mGym 2 ) than in group 2 (365.6 mGym 2 ) ( P = 0.000088). Surgery duration and complication rate were not significantly different between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions io3DF with spine navigation minimized radiation exposure of patients and operating room staff and provided an excellent percutaneous pedicle screw accuracy rate with no permanent complications compared with io3DF alone. This setup is recommended, especially for patients with a complex degenerative spine condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]