Salvage of lumbar pseudarthrosis with customized large-diameter pedicle screws: report of two cases.
Overview
abstract
STUDY DESIGN: A report of two cases using custom-manufactured pedicle screws for revision spinal arthrodesis for pseudarthrosis in the setting of widely dilated pedicle screw tracts. OBJECTIVE: To present surgical outcomes of a previously unreported treatment for pseudarthrosis with widely dilated pedicle screw tracts. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Techniques for revision of lumbar pseudarthrosis with severe screw loosening and widely dilated pedicle screw tracts represent a challenging clinical scenario. If stable fixation cannot be achieved, fixation may fail or adjacent normal levels may need to be included in the construct. METHODS: Two patients presenting with painful pseudarthrosis after lumbar spinal fusion and instrumentation loosening with widely dilated pedicle screw tracts were treated with revision anterior and posterior spinal fusion using custom-manufactured large-diameter pedicle screws. RESULTS: In both cases, the custom-manufactured pedicle screws achieved excellent purchase in the dilated pedicle screw tract. Both patients went on to solid fusion at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: This is a previously unreported technique for revision spinal fusion in the setting of loose instrumentation with widely dilated pedicle screw tracts.
