Accuracy of free hand pedicle screw installation in the thoracic and lumbar spine by a young surgeon: an analysis of the first consecutive 306 screws using computed tomography.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and safety of free-hand pedicle screw insertion performed by a young surgeon.

OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE

Few articles exist regarding the safety of the free-hand technique without inspection by an experienced spine surgeon.

METHODS

The index surgeon has performed spinal surgery for 2 years by himself. He performed fluoroscopy-assisted pedicle screw installation for his first year. Since then, he has used the free-hand technique. We retrospectively reviewed the records of all consecutive patients undergoing pedicle screw installation using the free-hand technique without fluoroscopy in the thoracic or lumbar spine by the index surgeon. Incidence and extent of cortical breach by misplaced pedicle screw was determined by a review of postoperative computed tomography (CT) images.

RESULTS

A total of 36 patients received 306 free-hand placed pedicle screws in the thoracic or lumbar spine. A total of 12 screws (3.9%) were identified as breaching the pedicle in 9 patients. Upper thoracic spine was the most frequent location of screw breach (10.8%). Lateral breach (2.3%) was more frequent than any other direction. Screw breach on the right side (9 patients) was more common than that on the left side (3 patients) (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

An analysis by CT scan shows that young spine surgeons who have trained under the supervision of an experienced surgeon can safely place free-hand pedicle screws with an acceptable breach rate through repetitive confirmatory steps.