STUDY DESIGN Literature review. OBJECTIVE Several studies have shown that the accuracy of pedicle screw placement significantly improves with use of computed tomography (CT)-based navigation systems. Yet, there has been no systematic review directly comparing accuracy of pedicle screw placement between different CT-based navigation systems. The objective of this study is to review the results...

Computer-navigated pedicle screw insertion is applied to the thoracic and lumbar spine to attain high insertion accuracy and a low rate of screw-related complications. However, some in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that no advantages are gained with the use of navigation techniques compared to conventional techniques. Additionally, inconsistent conclusions have been drawn in various stud...

The use of pedicle screw instrumentation in the spine has evolved over the last two decades. The initial use of pedicle screws began in the lumbar spine. As surgeons have become more comfortable with the complex anatomy required for accurate screw placement, the use of pedicle instrumentation has evolved to include their use in the thoracolumbar and thoracic spine. The impetus behind their incr...

Minimally invasive techniques in spinal surgery are increasing in popularity due to numerous potential advantages, including reduced length of stay, blood loss and requirements for post-operative analgesia as well as earlier return to work. This review discusses guidelines for safe implantation of percutaneous pedicle screws using an image intensifier technique. As indications for percutaneous ...

OBJECTIVE This study retrospectively assessed the accuracy of placement of lumbar pedicle screws placed by a single surgeon using a minimally-invasive, intra-operative CT-based computer navigated technique in combination with continuous electromyography (EMG) monitoring. The rates of incorrectly positioned screws were reviewed in the context of the surgeon's experience and learning curve. MET...

Introduction Pedicle screw insertion is the mainstay of thora-cic and lumbosacral posterior spinal instrumentation. However, it may be associated with complications such as screw mal-positioning. The purpose of this study was to develop a pilot study to compare the accuracy of robot-guided screw insertion versus hand-guided screw placement for spinal instrumentation. The hand-guided screws were...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of an individualized thoracic pedicle screw placement guide plate produced by 3-D laser printing. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thoracic pedicle samples of 3 adult cadavers were randomly assigned for 3-D CT scans. The 3-D thoracic models were established by using medical Mimics software, and a screw path was designed with scan...

BACKGROUND In recent years pedicle screw based constructs have been increasingly used in the operative management of scoliosis. The current principles of screw placement are based on normal anatomy and therefore may not be applicable in cases of severe vertebral deformity due to torsion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of computer tomography (CT) in preoperative planning an...

OBJECTIVE Two-dimensional fluoroscopy-based computerized navigation for the placement of pedicle screws offers the advantage of using stored patient-specific imaging data in providing real-time guidance during screw placement. The study aimed to describe the accuracy and reliability of a fluoroscopy-based navigation system for pedicle screw insertion. METHODS A total of 477 pedicle screws wer...

OBJECTIVE To improve pedicle screw placement accuracy with minimal radiation and low cost, we developed specially designed K-wire with a marker. To evaluate the accuracy of thoracolumbar pedicle screws placed using the novel guide-pin and portable X-rays. METHODS Observational cohort study with computerized tomography (CT) analysis of in vivo and in vitro pedicle screw placement. Postoperativ...