Use of the anatomic trajectory for thoracic pedicle screw salvage after failure/violation using the straight-forward technique: a biomechanical analysis

STUDY DESIGN

A biomechanical study of cadaver vertebrae to determine the feasibility of obtaining adequate thoracic pedicle screw fixation in a salvage situation. OBJECTIVE To investigate the ability to safely place a thoracic pedicle screw with adequate maximal insertional torque (MIT) using the anatomic trajectory (AT) (directed along the true anatomic axis of the pedicle) after purposeful failure/medial violation of the pedicle using the straight-forward trajectory (ST) (paralleling the vertebral endplate).

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA

Failure to place a pedicle screw at an intended segment of the thoracic spine may theoretically render the level uninstrumented, because pedicle hook placement may be unsafe and the transverse process may be fractured. An alternative pedicle screw insertion technique, if biomechanically sound in this situation, may present an excellent alternative for critical instrumentation levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fixed-head 5.0 mm stainless steel pedicle screws were placed using the ST and MIT was recorded after determination of bone mineral density (BMD) with dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning. Purposeful screw malposition and critical pedicle wall failure were performed, followed by salvage placement of the screw using the AT. Insertional torque was recorded for each screw revolution with a digital torque wrench and MIT was again recorded to compare the MIT obtainable in the salvage situation.

RESULTS

BMD for the vertebrae averaged 732 g/cm2 (620-884 g/cm2). The MIT for the straight-forward technique without pedicle violation was 2.61 +/- 0.19 (SE) inches per pound, whereas that of the salvage procedure after medial wall violation (AT) averaged 1.62 +/- 0.12 (SE) inches per pound. Therefore, the AT achieved 62% (P = 0.027) of the fixation strength (in terms of MIT) during salvage after failure/medial violation of the pedicle. MIT for both the ST* and AT trajectories correlated with both global BMD of the vertebrae (*P = 0.008; P = 0.004) and regional BMD of the vertebral body (*P = 0.044; P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

The AT achieved 62% (P = 0.027) of the MIT during salvage of a failed/violated pedicle. BMD correlated with both the initial and salvage techniques. The AT provides adequate fixation in a salvage situation and may be safely used to provide segmental fixation at critical levels.