Accuracy of Free Hand Pedicle Screw Installation in the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine by a Young Surgeon: An Analysis of the First Consecutive 306 Screws Using Computed Tomography.
- Author:
Chang Hyun LEE
1
;
Seung Jae HYUN
;
Yongjung J KIM
;
Ki Jeong KIM
;
Tae Ahn JAHNG
;
Hyun Jib KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Pedicle screw; Thoracic; Lumbar: Free hand; Accuracy; Safety
- MeSH: Cross-Sectional Studies; Fluoroscopy; Hand*; Humans; Incidence; Organization and Administration; Retrospective Studies; Spine*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2014;8(3):237-243
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and safety of free-hand pedicle screw insertion performed by a young surgeon. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Few articles exist regarding the safety of the free-hand technique without inspection by an experienced spine surgeon. METHODS: The index surgeon has performed spinal surgery for 2 years by himself. He performed fluoroscopy-assisted pedicle screw installation for his first year. Since then, he has used the free-hand technique. We retrospectively reviewed the records of all consecutive patients undergoing pedicle screw installation using the free-hand technique without fluoroscopy in the thoracic or lumbar spine by the index surgeon. Incidence and extent of cortical breach by misplaced pedicle screw was determined by a review of postoperative computed tomography (CT) images. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients received 306 free-hand placed pedicle screws in the thoracic or lumbar spine. A total of 12 screws (3.9%) were identified as breaching the pedicle in 9 patients. Upper thoracic spine was the most frequent location of screw breach (10.8%). Lateral breach (2.3%) was more frequent than any other direction. Screw breach on the right side (9 patients) was more common than that on the left side (3 patients) (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: An analysis by CT scan shows that young spine surgeons who have trained under the supervision of an experienced surgeon can safely place free-hand pedicle screws with an acceptable breach rate through repetitive confirmatory steps.
