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Are Breech Rates for Pedicle Screws Higher in the Upper Thoracic Spine?

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Abstract

Study Design

A case-control study.

Objectives

To evaluate pedicle screw placement in pediatric patients with various etiologies of scoliosis, and to identify predictors of misplacement.

Summary of Background Data

: Accuracy of placement of pedicle screws has not been well documented for posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion performed in the non-idiopathic population.

Methods

A total of 54 patients (29 idiopathic, 16 neuromuscular, and 9 congenital/syndromic scoliosis), ages 5—19 years, were included. Computed tomography scans were obtained on patients postoperatively to assess screw position. Three pediatric orthopedic surgeons evaluated screw placement, and risk factors for misplacement were examined.

Results

Of 1,042 pedicle screws, 8.3% were misplaced. Among all etiologies, screws placed at T1 (28.6%) and T2 (18.2%) had higher misplacement rates. T2 screws and curve correction greater than 75% had higher misplacement rates in congenital/syndromic patients; screws at T3, screws at upper end of construct, and proximal screws had significantly higher misplacement rates in neuromuscular patients; and no variables predicted misplacement in idiopathics. Screws placed at the most proximal end of the screw/rod construct also had a higher misplacement rate (14.1%) compared with all remaining levels (7.8%). Nonidiopathic patients had higher anterior misplacement compared with idiopathic. No screws were removed or revised, and no screw-related complications were observed.

Conclusions

Pedicle screw instrumentation in the thoracolumbar spine was safe for pediatric patients. We found that pedicle screws placed at top levels are at higher risk for misplacement among all pediatric scoliosis patients. Nonidiopathic patients are at higher risk for anterior screw misplacement, and the predictive effect of vertebral level is more profound in nonidiopathic patients. Because of these findings, we routinely use fluoroscopic guidance for the placement of Tl and T2 screws, and screws at the proximal end of construct.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA

    David M. Privitera MD

  2. Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, 3959 Broadway 800 North, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Hiroko Matsumoto MA, David P. Roye Jr. MD, Joshua E. Hyman MD & Michael G. Vitale MD, MPH

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, 622 West 168 Street, PH11-Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Jaime A. Gomez MD

  4. Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, 3959 Broadway 800 North, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    David P. Roye Jr. MD, Joshua E. Hyman MD & Michael G. Vitale MD, MPH

Authors
  1. David M. Privitera MD
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  2. Hiroko Matsumoto MA
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  3. Jaime A. Gomez MD
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  4. David P. Roye Jr. MD
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  5. Joshua E. Hyman MD
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  6. Michael G. Vitale MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hiroko Matsumoto MA.

Additional information

Author disclosures: DMP (grant from Scoliosis Research Society); HM (grants from Scoliosis Research Society, Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Research Foundation, AOSpine); JAG (grant from Scoliosis Research Society); DPR (grants from Scoliosis Research Society, Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Research Foundation, AOSpine, OREF, Biomet, OMeGA, Medtronic; consultancy for Stryker; travel/ accommodations/meeting expenses from Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Study Group, Broadwater, Biomet, Synthes, Stryker, Medtronic, K2); JEH (board membership with SICOT; consultancy for Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Study Group; grants from Scoliosis Research Society, OREF, OMeGA, Medtronic, Stryker, DePuy); MGV (board membership with Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Study Group, AAP Section on Orthopedics, POSNA; consultancy for Stryker, Biomet, Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Study Group; grants from Scoliosis Research Society, Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Research Foundation, AOSpine, OREF, OMeGA, Medtronic; royalties from Biomet; travel accommodations/meeting expenses from Broadwater, Fox PSDSG, Medtronic).

This study was funded by a 2007 Scoliosis Research Society, Milwaukee, WI. Standard Research Grant.

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Privitera, D.M., Matsumoto, H., Gomez, J.A. et al. Are Breech Rates for Pedicle Screws Higher in the Upper Thoracic Spine?. Spine Deform 1, 189–195 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspd.2013.04.002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspd.2013.04.002

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