scholarly journals Unilateral versus bilateral iliac screws for spinopelvic fixation: are two screws better than one?

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. E10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajiv Saigal ◽  
Darryl Lau ◽  
Rishi Wadhwa ◽  
Hai Le ◽  
Morsi Khashan ◽  
...  

Object Long-segment spinal instrumentation ending at the sacrum places substantial biomechanical stress on sacral screws. Iliac (pelvic) screws relieve some of this stress by supplementing the caudal fixation. It remains an open question whether there is any clinically significant difference in sacropelvic fixation with bilateral versus unilateral iliac screws. The primary purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic complications in the use of bilateral versus unilateral iliac screw fixation. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed 102 consecutive spinal fixation cases that extended to the pelvis at a single institution (University of California, San Francisco) in the period from 2005 to 2012 performed by the senior authors. Charts were reviewed for the following complications: reoperation, L5–S1 pseudarthrosis, sacral insufficiency fracture, hardware prominence, iliac screw loosening, and infection. The t-test, Pearson chi-square test, and Fisher exact test were used to determine statistical significance. Results The mean follow-up was 31 months. Thirty cases were excluded: 12 for inadequate follow-up, 15 for lack of L5–S1 interbody fusion, and 3 for preoperative osteomyelitis. The mean age among the 72 remaining cases was 62 years (range 39–79 years). Forty-six patients underwent unilateral and 26 bilateral iliac screw fixation. Forty-one percent (n = 19) of the unilateral cases and 50% (n = 13) of the bilateral cases were treated with reoperation (p = 0.48). In addition, 13% (n = 6) of the unilateral and 19% (n = 5) of the bilateral cases developed L5–S1 pseudarthrosis (p = 0.51). There were no sacral insufficiency fractures. Thirteen percent (n = 6) of the unilateral and 7.7% (n = 2) of the bilateral cases developed postoperative infection (p = 0.70). Conclusions In a retrospective single-institution study, single versus dual pelvic screws led to comparable rates of reoperation, iliac screw removal, postoperative infection, pseudarthrosis, and sacral insufficiency fractures. For spinopelvic fixation, placing bilateral (vs unilateral) pelvic screws produced no added clinical benefit in most cases.

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Nguyen ◽  
Thomas J. Buell ◽  
Tony R. Wang ◽  
Jeffrey P. Mullin ◽  
Marcus D. Mazur ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVERecent literature describing complications associated with spinopelvic fixation with iliac screws in adult patients has been limited but has suggested high complication rates. The authors’ objective was to report their experience with iliac screw fixation in a large series of patients with a 2-year minimum follow-up.METHODSOf 327 adult patients undergoing spinopelvic fixation with iliac screws at the authors’ institution between 2010 and 2015, 260 met the study inclusion criteria (age ≥ 18 years, first-time iliac screw placement, and 2-year minimum follow-up). Patients with active spinal infection were excluded. All iliac screws were placed via a posterior midline approach using fluoroscopic guidance. Iliac screw heads were deeply recessed into the posterior superior iliac spine. Clinical and radiographic data were obtained and analyzed.RESULTSTwenty patients (7.7%) had iliac screw–related complication, which included fracture (12, 4.6%) and/or screw loosening (9, 3.5%). No patients had iliac screw head prominence that required revision surgery or resulted in pain, wound dehiscence, or poor cosmesis. Eleven patients (4.2%) had rod or connector fracture below S1. Overall, 23 patients (8.8%) had L5–S1 pseudarthrosis. Four patients (1.5%) had fracture of the S1 screw. Seven patients (2.7%) had wound dehiscence (unrelated to the iliac screw head) or infection. The rate of reoperation (excluding proximal junctional kyphosis) was 17.7%. On univariate analysis, an iliac screw–related complication rate was significantly associated with revision fusion (70.0% vs 41.2%, p = 0.013), a greater number of instrumented vertebrae (mean 12.6 vs 10.3, p = 0.014), and greater postoperative pelvic tilt (mean 27.7° vs 23.2°, p = 0.04). Lumbosacral junction–related complications were associated with a greater mean number of instrumented vertebrae (12.6 vs 10.3, p = 0.014). Reoperation was associated with a younger mean age at surgery (61.8 vs 65.8 years, p = 0.014), a greater mean number of instrumented vertebrae (12.2 vs 10.2, p = 0.001), and longer clinical and radiological mean follow-up duration (55.8 vs 44.5 months, p < 0.001; 55.8 vs 44.6 months, p < 0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, reoperation was associated with longer clinical follow-up (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSPrevious studies on iliac screw fixation have reported very high rates of complications and reoperation (as high as 53.6%). In this large, single-center series of adult patients, iliac screws were an effective method of spinopelvic fixation that had high rates of lumbosacral fusion and far lower complication rates than previously reported. Collectively, these findings argue that iliac screw fixation should remain a favored technique for spinopelvic fixation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97
Author(s):  
Seung-Jae Hyun ◽  
Jong-myung Jung ◽  
Ki-Jeong Kim ◽  
Tae-Ahn Jahng

Abstract BACKGROUND S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screws improve stability across the lumbosacral junction in spinopelvic fixation procedures by crossing the cortical surfaces of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), thereby increasing the biomechanical strength of the instrumentation. OBJECTIVE To investigate the durability and failure types of S2AI screws after spinopelvic reconstruction surgery. METHODS A single-center, single-surgeon consecutive series of patients who underwent spinopelvic fixation using bilateral S2AI screws with a ≥1-yr follow-up and at least 1 postoperative computed tomographic scan were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, radiographic parameters, operative data, clinical outcomes, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS In total, 312 S2AI screws in 156 patients were evaluated (mean follow-up, 26.1 mo; range 12-71 mo). There were no significant differences in screw diameter, length, or insertion angle between right-side and left-side screws. Visual analogue scale scores for back pain, ambulatory status, and Oswestry Disability Index scores significantly improved. A total of 10 patients (3.2%) experienced SIJ pain after S2AI screw installation. SIJ pain improved in 8 of them following SIJ block. In total, 7 screws (2.2%) showed partial periscrew lucency. Set screw dislodgement occurred in 7 screws (2.2%). Screw fracture occurred in 6 screws (1.9%): 5 neck fractures and 1 shaft fracture. A total of 5 patients (1.6%) underwent revision surgery for S2AI screw failure. Distal device (L4-pelvis region) breakage occurred in 5 patients. CONCLUSION The radiographic and clinical outcomes of S2AI screw fixation were acceptable. However, S2AI screw fixation has several drawbacks, including screw fracture and dislodgement of the set screw. SIJ irritation symptoms after S2AI screw fixation occurred with considerable frequency.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-112
Author(s):  
Coracy Gonçalves Brasil Neto ◽  
Luiz Müller Ávila ◽  
Dulce Helena Grimm ◽  
Carlos Abreu de Aguiar ◽  
Luis Eduardo Munhoz da Rocha

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate retrospectively the results related to the use of pelvic fixation with alar-iliac S2 screw in individuals with myelomeningocele. Methods: Retrospective study of cases surgically treated with this technique, between January 2015 and March 2018 at the Pequeno Principe Children's Hospital. Radiographic images and clinical records were analyzed in search of complications. Results: Twelve patients with mean age of 13.3 years were treated at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was 11.5 months. The mean of the highest magnitude curve measured by the Cobb angle in the preoperative period was 83.8°; while in the last postoperative follow-up was 29.5° (correction of 65%). The mean pelvic obliquity was 23.1° in the preoperative period and in the postoperative was 7.1° (correction of 69%). Only 2 cases (17%) with complications associated with material failure at the level of sacroiliac fixation, due to the unilateral release of the head of the polyaxial S2 iliac screw. Conclusions: The technique of pelvic fixation in the scoliosis secondary to myelomeningocele with the use of S2 alar-iliac screws has shown satisfactory results, with only two complications (17%) directly related to pelvic fixation in the operated cases. Level of Evidence IV; Series of Cases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Buell ◽  
Ulas Yener ◽  
Tony R. Wang ◽  
Avery L. Buchholz ◽  
Chun-Po Yen ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVESacral insufficiency fracture after lumbosacral (LS) arthrodesis is an uncommon complication. The objective of this study was to report the authors’ operative experience managing this complication, review pertinent literature, and propose a treatment algorithm.METHODSThe authors analyzed consecutive adult patients treated at their institution from 2009 to 2018. Patients who underwent surgery for sacral insufficiency fractures after posterior instrumented LS arthrodesis were included. PubMed was queried to identify relevant articles detailing management of this complication.RESULTSNine patients with a minimum 6-month follow-up were included (mean age 73 ± 6 years, BMI 30 ± 6 kg/m2, 56% women, mean follow-up 35 months, range 8–96 months). Six patients had osteopenia/osteoporosis (mean dual energy x-ray absorptiometry hip T-score −1.6 ± 0.5) and 3 received treatment. Index LS arthrodesis was performed for spinal stenosis (n = 6), proximal junctional kyphosis (n = 2), degenerative scoliosis (n = 1), and high-grade spondylolisthesis (n = 1). Presenting symptoms of back/leg pain (n = 9) or lower extremity weakness (n = 3) most commonly occurred within 4 weeks of index LS arthrodesis, which prompted CT for fracture diagnosis at a mean of 6 weeks postoperatively. All sacral fractures were adjacent or involved S1 screws and traversed the spinal canal (Denis zone III). H-, U-, or T-type sacral fracture morphology was identified in 7 patients. Most fractures (n = 8) were Roy-Camille type II (anterior displacement with kyphosis). All patients underwent lumbopelvic fixation via a posterior-only approach; mean operative duration and blood loss were 3.3 hours and 850 ml, respectively. Bilateral dual iliac screws were utilized in 8 patients. Back/leg pain and weakness improved postoperatively. Mean sacral fracture anterolisthesis and kyphotic angulation improved (from 8 mm/11° to 4 mm/5°, respectively) and all fractures were healed on radiographic follow-up (mean duration 29 months, range 8–90 months). Two patients underwent revision for rod fractures at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. A literature review found 17 studies describing 87 cases; potential risk factors were osteoporosis, longer fusions, high pelvic incidence (PI), and postoperative PI-to–lumbar lordosis (LL) mismatch.CONCLUSIONSA high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose sacral insufficiency fracture after LS arthrodesis. A trial of conservative management is reasonable for select patients; potential surgical indications include refractory pain, neurological deficit, fracture nonunion with anterolisthesis or kyphotic angulation, L5–S1 pseudarthrosis, and spinopelvic malalignment. Lumbopelvic fixation with iliac screws may be effective salvage treatment to allow fracture healing and symptom improvement. High-risk patients may benefit from prophylactic lumbopelvic fixation at the time of index LS arthrodesis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-557
Author(s):  
Malia McAvoy ◽  
Heather J. McCrea ◽  
Vamsidhar Chavakula ◽  
Hoon Choi ◽  
Wenya Linda Bi ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEFew studies describe long-term functional outcomes of pediatric patients who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy (LMD) because of the rarity of pediatric disc herniation and the short follow-up periods. The authors analyzed risk factors, clinical presentation, complications, and functional outcomes of a single-institution series of LMD patients over a 19-year period.METHODSA retrospective case series was conducted of pediatric LMD patients at a large pediatric academic hospital from 1998 to 2017. The authors examined premorbid risk factors, clinical presentation, physical examination findings, type and duration of conservative management, indications for surgical intervention, complications, and postoperative outcomes.RESULTSOver the 19-year study period, 199 patients underwent LMD at the authors’ institution. The mean age at presentation was 16.0 years (range 12–18 years), and 55.8% were female. Of these patients, 70.9% participated in competitive sports, and among those who did not play sports, 65.0% had a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Prior to surgery, conservative management had failed in 98.0% of the patients. Only 3 patients (1.5%) presented with cauda equina syndrome requiring emergent microdiscectomy. Complications included 4 cases of postoperative CSF leak (2.0%), 1 case of a noted intraoperative CSF leak, and 3 cases of wound infection (1.5%). At the first postoperative follow-up appointment, minimal or no pain was reported by 93.3% of patients. The mean time to return to sports was 9.8 weeks. During a mean follow-up duration of 8.2 years, 72.9% of patients did not present again after routine postoperative appointments. The total risk of reoperation was a rate of 7.5% (3.5% of patients underwent reoperation for the same level; 4.5% underwent adjacent-level decompression, and one patient [0.5%] ultimately underwent a fusion).CONCLUSIONSMicrodiscectomy is a safe and effective treatment for long-term relief of pain and return to daily activities among pediatric patients with symptomatic lumbar disc disease in whom conservative management has failed.


2000 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Serletti ◽  
John U. Coniglio ◽  
Salvatore J. Pacella ◽  
John D. Norante

Vertical midline mandibulotomy has provided a relatively simple and efficient means of obtaining access to intraoral tumors that are too large or too posterior to be removed transorally. Midline mandibulotomy has had the advantage of nerve and muscle preservation and places the osteotomy outside the typical field of radiotherapy, in contrast to lateral and paramedian osteotomies. Plate and screw fixation has been the usual means of osteosynthesis for these mandibulotomies; however, plate contouring over the symphyseal surface has been a time-consuming process. Unless the plate was contoured exactly, mandibular malalignment and malocclusion in dentulous patients has occurred. Use of parallel transverse lag screws has become a popular method of osteosynthesis for parasymphyseal fractures, and we have extended their use for mandibulotomy fixation. This paper reports our clinical experience with transverse lag screw fixation of midline mandibulotomies in 9 patients from 1994 to 1997. There were 7 men and 2 women with a mean age of 56 (range 35 to 71 years). The pathological diagnosis in all patients was squamous cell carcinoma; 8 cases were primary, and 1 patient presented with recurrent tumor. No tumors involved the mandibular periosteum. One patient had had previous radiotherapy, and 3 patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy. The mean follow-up has been 17 months (range 9 to 27). There was 1 minor complication and 1 major complication related to our technique. The major complication was a delayed nonunion of the mandibulotomy. This occurred because the 2 parallel screws were placed too close to one another, and this placement resulted in a delayed sagittal fracture of the anterior cortex and subsequent nonunion. Transverse lag screw fixation has not affected occlusion in our dentulous patients. Speech and diet were normal in the majority of our patients. Transverse lag screw fixation of the midline mandibulotomy has been a relatively safe, rapid, and reliable method for tumor access and postextirpation mandibular stabilization and has significant advantages over other current methods of mandibulotomy and fixation.


Author(s):  
Ulrich Josef Albert Spiegl ◽  
Klaus J. Schnake ◽  
Bernhard Ullrich ◽  
Max J. Scheyerer ◽  
Georg Osterhoff ◽  
...  

AbstractAn increasing incidence of sacral insufficiency fractures in geriatric patients has been documented, representing a major challenge to our healthcare system. Determining the accurate diagnosis requires the use of sectional imaging, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Initially, non-surgical treatment is indicated for the majority of patients. If non-surgical treatment fails, several minimally invasive therapeutic strategies can be used, which have shown promising results in small case series. These approaches are sacroplasty, percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation (S1 with or without S2), trans-sacral screw fixation or implantation of a trans-sacral bar, transiliac internal fixator stabilisation, and spinopelvic stabilisation. These surgical strategies and their indications are reported in detail. Generally, treatment-related decision making depends on the clinical presentation, fracture morphology, and attending surgeonʼs experience.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0002
Author(s):  
Hwa Jun Kang ◽  
Hong-Geun Jung ◽  
Jong-Soo Lee ◽  
Sungwook Kim ◽  
Mao Yuan Sun

Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: Kirschner-wires fixation, sometimes we have encountered pin irritation or pull-out. This is the reason why we consider additional fixation. Moreover, there are few reports according to comparison of fixation method, and Most of them focused on comparison K-wires or screw fixation only. Purpose of study is to compare clinical and radiographic outcome between Kirschner-wires only and combined screw fixation. Methods: The study included two different groups according to fixation methods. One with Kirschner-wires fixation (KW group) included 117 feet(of 98 patients), the other with combined screw fixation (KWS group) 56 feet (of 40 patients) with moderate to severe hallux valgus. Clinically, the preoperative and final follow-up visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, the preoperative and final follow-up American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP)-interphalangeal (IP) scores, and patient satisfaction after the surgery were evaluated. Radiographically, the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), medial sesamoid position (MSP), and first to fifth metatarsal width (1-5MTW) were analyzed before and after surgery. Results: The mean AOFAS score improved preoperative 65.5 to 95.3 at final follow up in group A, while preoperative 56.5 to 88.6 at final follow up. Pain VAS decreased from 5.7 to 0.5 in group A, whereas from 6.2 to 1.6 in group B. The mean HVA all improved from preoperative 38.5 to 9.3 at final follow up in group A and 34.7 to 9.1 in group B. The mean IMA and MSP also improved significantly at final follow up. In comparative analysis, the IMA did not show significant difference between postoperative and final state in group A, while showed significant increase in group B. Conclusion: We achieved favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes with minimal complications in patient with moderate to severe hallux valgus in both groups. However, this study shows no statistically significant difference in IMA during follow-up period and lower recurrence rate. Therefore we need to consider combined fixation method to provide better stability and can expect lower recurrence rate.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0044
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Williams ◽  
Paul M. Lafferty

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Syndesmotic fixation with screws is commonly used for ankle fractures with syndesmotic disruption. Few studies have reported the development of heterotopic ossification (HO) within the syndesmosis following ankle injuries, which may lead to abnormal joint kinematics and even joint synostosis. However, there is little data on the prevalence and on the risk factors associated with the development of HO. The purpose of this study is to determine the (1) prevalence and (2) risk factors associated with the development of HO within the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis following ankle fractures requiring syndesmotic fixation. We hypothesized that screws within the syndesmosis articulation and broken screws would be associated with a higher incidence of HO than extraarticular and intact screws, respectively. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for patients who sustained an ankle fracture with syndesmotic disruption. Inclusion criteria: age between 18 and 65 years old, a closed ankle fracture treated operatively with syndesmotic screw fixation. Exclusion criteria: additional lower extremity injury, history of prior ankle fracture, lack of radiographic follow-up and fixation other than 1 or 2 syndesmosis screws. Medical records were reviewed for: age, sex, high or low energy injury mechanism, smoking status, diabetes, BMI, perioperative complications, and further procedures. Fractures were classified by Lauge-Hansen and Weber systems. Immediate postoperative radiographs were reviewed for the number of syndesmotic screws, whether screws were intraarticular or extraarticular and the number of cortices each screw crossed. Final postoperative radiographs were reviewed for retention or screw removal and the presence of HO. The presence of HO was defined as new or increased bone formation within the syndesmosis compared to immediate postoperative radiographs. Results: Included were 264 patients, mean radiographic follow-up of 10.5+/-10.2 months. The mean age was 39.2+/-12.6 years (38.7% female) with a mean BMI of 32.1+/-7.8. Current smokers made up 39.4% of patients and 10.6% were diabetic. The mean time to fracture fixation was 12.6+/-3.2 days and 198 patients (75%) had a low energy injury. There was no significant difference in HO formation for demographics, injury mechanism or time to fixation. Overall, HO developed in 160 patients (60.6%). There was no difference, additionally for fracture pattern, number screws or fixation construct (Table 1). HO developed in 92% of broken, 75% of loose and 44% of intact screws (P<0.001). Screws were removed in 107 patients (40.5%) with no difference in HO formation compared to patients with intact screws. Conclusion: Heterotopic ossification is commonplace following screw fixation for syndesmotic injuries with a prevalence of 60.6%. Broken screws and loosened screws are a significant risk factor for the development of HO. However, no other risk factors in this study were found to be associated with the development of HO, including intraarticular syndesmotic screw placement. Patients should be counseled on the prevalence although further research is needed to determine the effect on ankle motion and progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. E219-E223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Liu ◽  
Muhammed Yaser Hasan

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Dual iliac-screw and dual-rod fixation provides additional stability to lumbopelvic constructs and can be employed in management of neoplastic disease with extensive osseous involvement. Optimal iliac-screw positioning is vital to achieve the desired dual iliac-screw and dual-rod linkage. CLINICAL PRESENTATION In this report, we describe our technique with particular focus on subcrestal iliac-screw entry point position using a 4-quadrant teardrop radiological view concept in a case of minimally invasive L3-iliac spinopelvic fixation using dual iliac-screw and dual-rod for a patient with pathological sacral fracture. At the last follow-up 20 mo postsurgery there was minimal axial and radicular pain and no evidence of screw prominence. Radiographs showed no evidence of construct failure. CONCLUSION The 4-quadrant teardrop concept provides a good visual reference for optimal subcrestal screw placement when employing a dual iliac-screw and dual-construct.


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