STUDY DESIGN A retrospective single-center study. We routinely have used C1-C2 transarticular and cervical pedicle screw fixations to reconstruct highly destructed unstable rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cervical lesions. However, there is little data on mid-term results of surgical reconstruction for rheumatoid cervical disorders, particularly, cervical pedicle screw fixation. OBJECTIVES The purp...

For the NARVIS project two critical stages of minimal invasive spinal trauma surgery have been identi ed that can be improved with advanced visualization of imaging data. The stages port placement and pedicle screw placement require anatomical imaging data in order give the surgeon su cient information for performing his task. Port placement is a very early stage of the procedure that determine...

Objective: To illustrate a hybrid technique that involves a combination of open decompression and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) and percutaneously placed pedicle screws. This technique allows for PLIF via a midline incision and approach, and decompression without compromise in operative time and visualisation. Furthermore, this approach is proposed to reduce post-operative wound pain...

Background: To analyse use of monopolar diathermy stimulation of pedicle screws in order to improve breach detection. Methods: Prospective single-blind study. Patients with preoperative neurological deficit excluded. Pedicle screws inserted freehand into thoracic and lumbar spine. Monopolar diathermy in “cutting” mode at half the strength used for actual cutting purpose was used to stimulate th...

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the impact of 3-D navigation for pedicle screw placement accuracy in minimally invasive transverse lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). Methods A retrospective review of 52 patients who had MIS-TLIF assisted with 3D navigation is presented. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scales (VAS), and MacNab ...

BACKGROUND Pedicle screw pullout due to poor bone quality, mainly caused by osteoporosis, is a common problem in spine surgery. Special implants and techniques, especially PMMA augmentation, were developed to improve the fixation of pedicle screws. PMMA injection into a pilot hole or through a screw involves the same risks as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, regardless of the technique used. Espe...

During the last years in spine surgery has become more urgent the need for a safe method to improve pedicle screw placement. A safe and correct placement can have many important consequences, both clinical (development of new symptoms) and medico-legal. The most widespread and used tool is neuronavigation. In literature, many studies have compared the precision of screw placement between free-h...

BACKGROUND Pedicle screw fixation to stabilize lumbar spinal fusion has become the gold standard for posterior stabilization. A significant percentage of surgical candidates are classified as obese or morbidly obese. For these patients, the depth of the incisions and soft tissue makes it extremely difficult to insert pedicle screws along the pedicle axis. As such, the pedicle screws can only be...