Biomechanical Analysis of Derotation of the Thoracic Spine Using Pedicle Screws.

The article presents a biomechanical analysis of the thoracic spine derotational torque via pedicle screws (PS) instrumentation. The study loaded to failure four groups of thoracic segments of different PS constructs to stimulate left to right derotational force in an idiopathic dextrorotary thoracic scoliosis curve. It concludes that based on the failed single T4 PSs on the medial and lateral side, the greater torque and lesser risks of PS breach is possible through linked constructs.