The standard method for treating posterior pelvic ring injuries involves sacroiliac joint cannulated lag screw fixation, necessitating repeated fluoroscopy and leading to radiation exposure. The O-arm navigation system, designed for spine screw fixation, is applied in pelvic injuries to enhance precision. A successful case involved a 39-year-old male with a complex pelvic injury, where sacroiliac screw fixation was performed in the prone position using the O-arm guide. The patient, injured at a construction site, showed fractures and widening of the symphysis pubis and right sacroiliac joint. Surgery was planned for both lumbar and pelvic regions due to an L3 burst fracture. The O-arm system demonstrated efficacy in precise screw placement, reducing surgical duration, and minimizing complications. The discussion emphasizes early pelvic fixation benefits, with percutaneous iliosacral screws standing out. Conventional fluoroscopy-guided methods pose challenges, and the O-arm system proves advantageous, especially for less experienced surgeons. Future advancements may enable pelvic surgery using the O-arm without C-arm guidance if instrumentation for pelvis fixation is developed.
Background Percutaneous-short segment screw fixation (SSSF) without bone fusion has proven to be a safe and effective modality for thoracolumbar spine fractures (TLSFs). When fracture consolidation is confirmed, pedicle screws are no longer essential, but clear indications for screw removal following fracture consolidation have not been established.
Methods In total, we enrolled 31 patients with TLSFs who underwent screw removal following treatment using percutaneous-SSSF without fusion. Plain radiographs, taken at different intervals, measured local kyphosis using Cobb’ angle (CA), vertebra body height (VBH), and the segmental motion angle (SMA). A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were applied pre-screw removal and at the last follow-up.
Results The overall mean CA deteriorated by 1.58º (p<0.05) and the overall mean VBH decreased by 0.52 mm (p=0.001). SMA preservation was achieved in 18 patients (58.1%) and kyphotic recurrence occurred in 4 patients (12.9%). SMA preservation was statistically significant in patients who underwent screw removal within 12 months following the primary operation (p=0.002). Kyphotic recurrence occurred in patients with a CA ≥20º at injury (p<0.001) with a median interval of 16.5 months after screw removal. No patients reported worsening pain or an increased ODI score after screw removal.
Conclusion Screw removal within 12 months can be recommended for restoration of SMA with improvement in clinical outcomes. Although, TLSFs with CA ≥20º at the time of injury can help to predict kyphotic recurrence after screw removal, the clinical outcomes are less relevant.
Background S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screws are one of the options for spinopelvic fixation to improve stability across the lumbosacral junction. The S2AI screws cross the cortical surfaces of the sacroiliac joint, which can increase the biomechanical strength of the instrumentation.
Objective: To investigate the durability and failure types of S2AI screw by finite element model (FEM) analysis.
Methods Through the FEM, complex material and geometrical properties of the biological system can be evaluated, and various physical variables, such as stress, and fracture, can be analyzed. We examined the biomechanical stress distribution at the set screw and screw head by using a FEM. Von Mises (V.M.) stress (MPa) is derived from 3-dimensional status of stress. The finite element software Abaqus® version 6.5 (ABAQUS Inc., Johnston, RI, USA) was used to create a FEM.
Results We quantified the peak V.M. stress applied to the set screw and screw head when rod to S2AI screw trajectory angle was 30º angled and perpendicular. In FEM analysis, at an angle of 30 degrees rather than perpendicular, the stress increased further around the area where the screw head and rod contacted and the displacement distribution of set screw also increased.
Conclusion S2AI screw fixation has several drawbacks such as screw fracture and dislodgement of the set screw. This FEM analysis can support the result.
Objectives The primary surgical goals when treating a spinal metastasis are usually pain relief and preservation of ambulatory function. Minimally invasive techniques have become popular, being associated with less morbidity and mortality than conventional open surgeries.
Materials and Methods Between April 2012 and September 2016, 15 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) to treat spinal metastases. We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data, including visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, Frankel scale scores, and complications.
Results Fifteen patients (8 males, 7 females; mean age 61 years) underwent surgery under general anesthesia. PPSF was performed on all patients, and two with poor bone quality underwent cement augmentation of the manipulated vertebra(e) just prior to pedicle screw insertion. Seven patients underwent fixation plus distraction (indirect decompression via ligamentotaxis) and two laminectomies (direct decompression) of the spinal cord. Two patients developed screw pullout requiring revision surgery. One patient died 7 days after surgery from liver cirrhosis and sepsis. All patients reported that pain was reduced after surgery. After surgery, 12 patients regained ambulatory capacity. Nine patients died during follow-up; the mean overall survival time was 14.1 months.
Conclusions PPSF is a safe and minimally invasive palliative surgery option for patients with spinal metastases.
Purpose Pull-out of pedicle screw in posterior pedicle fixation for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures causes delayed rehabilitation, persistant pain, and imblance of sagittal plane. In this study we try to analyse the factors that cause the pull-out of pedicle screw.
Materials and Methods From March 01, 2006 to December 31, 2009, we assorted into two group; Group I for pullout pedicle, Group II for control. Plane lateral x-ray view film of thoracolumbar spine was taken on preoperation, postoperation, the first time when screw was pulled out and last follow up. we measure inserted angle for the upper endplate of screw, convergency angle and change of body height loss and kyphotic angle. We analysed corelation between these measuring values and pedicle screw pull-out by Mann-Whitney test and T-test.
Results Pull-out of pedicle screw was found at mean 5weeks among nine cases. For inserted pedicle screws, which place in upper and lower vertebral body of fractured one, Value of inserted angle for upper end plate and convergency angle was found non-significant(p>0.05, Mann-Whitney test). Restoration of height loss and kyphotic angle of fractured vertebral body was statically significant(p<0.05, T-test).
Conclusion In posterior pedicle fixation for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures, sufficient restoration of height loss and kyphotic angle is important factor for prevention of screw pull-out than inserted angle for upper end plate and convergency angle at a short period of time. Therefore we think that sufficient anterior fixation of vertebral body and restoration of kyphotic angle have a decisive effect on prognosis of patients.
Variable posterior surgical techniques for atlantoaxial (C1-2) joint instability (AAI) have been introduced and advanced steadily during the past century. Many surgical techniques using wire or clamp were introduced before 1980s and these surgical approaches provided low biomechanical strength and low fusion rate. After then, screwbased techniques (trans-articular or segmental fixation) were introduced and popularized as an alternative or “gold standard” method. Screw-based methods have recently gained popularity and modified according to their targeted anatomical regions (pedicle, posterior arch, C1 lateral mass, pars inter-articularis and laminar). Each surgical technique has own strength and weaknesses, and their usefulness has been proved through many biomechanical analysis and clinical applications. Advantage and limitation of each surgical technique will be reviewed.