OBJECTIVETo investigate the anatomy and clinical application of thoracic transverse process using as the position for thoracic pedicle screw implantation.

METHODSA total of 132 patients were subjected to thoracic pedicle screws fixation and the pedicle screws implantation position was the basis of transverse process. The data of anatomy, operation method for position and their periopereative complications were reviewed. There were 84 male and 48 female with their age ranging from 12 to 77 years, with an average of 32 +/- 9 years, of which 85 patients sufferents from thoracic vertebral fracture, 27 were thoracic degenerative disease, 12 were thoracic tuberculosis and 8 were thoracic tumor.

RESULTSA total of 788 thoracic pedicle screws were placed by free hand technique, and the most of screws were implanted in low thoracic segments (T10-T12) while the least in T1. Massive hemorrhoea, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and air leakage didn't occurre during operation. Thirteen thoracic pedicle screws were re-implanted during operation due to malposition. There are no perioperative complications expect for intercostal numbness founded in 2 patients and the symptom disappeared after 2 months therapy.

CONCLUSIONIt is a reliable technique to use the basis of transverse process as the position for pedicle screw implantation, which solve the difficulty of ascertainment the entry point of thoracic pedicle screws. Thoracic pedicle screws can be managed accurately, safely and reliably based on careful manipulation and imageology data.