Effect of pedicle screw diameter on screw fixation efficacy in human osteoporotic thoracic vertebrae

The selection of an ideal screw size plays a crucial role in the success of spinal instrumentation as larger diameter screws are thought to provide better fixation strength but increase the risk of pedicle failure during insertion. On the other hand, smaller diameter screws are with lesser risk of pedicle breakage but are thought to compromise the stability of the instrumentation. By investigating the relationship between screw diameter and the pullout strength of pedicle screws after fatigue loading, this study seeks to find quantitative biomechanical data for surgeons in determining the most ideal diameter size screws when performing surgical implementations on osteoporotic vertebrae.Twenty-seven osteoporotic (BMD ranged: 0.353–0.848 g/cm²) thoracic vertebrae (T3-T8) were harvested from 5 human cadavers. Two sizes of poly-axial screws (5.0 mm × 35 and 4.35 mm × 35) were implanted into each pedicles of the vertebrae by an experienced surgeon. Specimens were randomly distributed into control group, fatigue group of 5000 and 10,000 cycles with peak-to-peak loadings of 10–100 N at 1 Hz. Each specimen was then axial pullout tested at a constant rate of 5 mm/min. The ultimate pullout strength (N) & stiffness (N/mm) were obtained for analysis.The results showed that although the larger diameter screws achieved superior pullout strength immediately after the implantation, both sizes of screws exhibited comparable pullout strengths post fatigue loading. This indicates that the smaller diameter screws may be considered for surgical techniques performed on osteoporotic vertebrae for reduced risk of pedicle breakage without sacrificing fixation strength.     

Anterior vertebral body screw pullout testing with the hollow modular anchorage system--a comparative in vitro study.

Pullout of implants at the proximal and distal ends of multilevel constructs represents a common spinal surgery problem. One goal concerning the development of new spinal implants is to achieve stable fixation together with the least invasive approach to the spinal column. This biomechanical study measures the influence of different modes of implantation and different screw designs, including a new monocortical system, on the maximum pullout strength of screws inserted ventrolaterally into calf vertebrae. The force pullout of eight different groups were tested and compared. Included were three bicortical used single screws (USS, Zielke-VDS, single KASS). To further increase pullout strength either a second screw (KASS) or a pullout-resistant nut can be added (USS with pullout nut). A completely new concept of anchorage represents the Hollow Modular Anchorage System (MACS-HMA). This hollow titanium implant has an increased outside diameter and is designed for monocortical use. Additionally two screw systems suitable for bicortical use were tested in monocortical mode of anchorage (USS, single KASS). We selected seven vertebrae equal in mean size and bone mineral density for each of the eight groups. The vertebral body and implant were connected to both ends of a servohydraulic testing machine. Displacement controlled distraction was applied until failure at the metal-bone-interface occurred. The maximum axial pullout force was recorded. Mean BMD was 312 +/- 55 mg CaHA/ml in cancellous bone and 498 +/- 98 mg CaHA/ml in cortical bone. The highest resistance to pullout found, measured 4.2 kN (KASS) and 4.0 kN (USS with pullout nut). The mean pullout strength of Zielke-VDS was 2.1 kN, of single KASS 2.5 kN, of MACS-HMA 2.6 kN and of USS 3.2 kN. There was no statistically significant difference (t-test, p > 0.05) between bicortical screws and the new monocortical implant. For the strongest fixation at the proximal or distal end of long spinal constructs the addition of a second screw or a pullout-resistant nut behind the opposite cortex offers even stronger fixation.     

A Biomechanical Comparison of Expansive Pedicle Screws for Severe Osteoporosis: The Effects of Screw Design and Cement Augmentation

Expansive pedicle screws significantly improve fixation strength in osteoporotic spines. However, the previous literature does not adequately address the effects of the number of lengthwise slits and the extent of screw expansion on the strength of the bone/screw interface when expansive screws are used with or without cement augmentation. Herein, four designs for expansive pedicle screws with different numbers of lengthwise slits and different screw expansion levels were evaluated. Synthetic bones simulating severe osteoporosis were used to provide a comparative platform for each screw design. The prepared specimens were then tested for axial pullout failure. Regardless of screw design, screws with cement augmentation demonstrated significantly higher pullout strength than pedicle screws without cement augmentation (p < 0.001). For screws without cement augmentation, solid screws exhibited the lowest pullout strength compared to the four expansive groups (p < 0.01). No significant differences in pullout strength were observed between the expansive screws with different designs (p > 0.05). Taken together, our results show that pedicle screws combined with cement augmentation may greatly increase screw fixation regardless of screws with or without expansion. An increase in both the number of slits and the extent of screw expansion had little impact on the screw-anchoring strength. Cement augmentation is the most influential factor for improving screw pullout strength.     

Finite Element Analysis of Minimal Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

The purpose of our study is to develop and validate three-dimensional finite element models of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, and explore the most appropriate method of fixation and fusion by comparing biomechanical characteristics of different fixation method. We developed four fusion models: bilateral pedicle screws fixation with a single cage insertion model (A), bilateral pedicle screws fixation with two cages insertion model (B), unilateral pedicle screws fixation with a single cage insertion model (C), and unilateral pedicle screws fixation with two cages insertion model (D); the models were subjected to different forces including anterior bending, posterior extension, left bending, right bending, rotation, and axial compressive. The von Mises stress of the fusion segments on the pedicle screw and cages was recorded. Angular variation and stress of pedicle screw and cage were compared. There were differences of Von Mises peak stress among four models, but were within the range of maximum force. The angular variation in A, B, C, and D decreased significantly compared with normal. There was no significant difference of angular variation between A and B, and C and D. Bilateral pedicle screws fixation had more superior biomechanics than unilateral pedicle screws fixation. In conclusion, the lumbar interbody fusion models were established using varying fixation methods, and the results verified that unilateral pedicle screws fixation with a single cage could meet the stability demand in minimal invasive transforaminal interbody fusion.     

脊柱椎弓根螺钉生物力学研究进展

椎弓根螺钉内固定术是目前临床上治疗脊柱骨折的常用手术方式。生物力学特别是脊柱生物力学方面的研究是其内固定器设计和研制的基础,也是评价其固定的稳定性及实用价值性的具体标准。因此,运用生物力学的理论知识来全面分析脊柱的力学改变及内固定器的作用机制,对于合理使用内固定器械以取得最满意矫形和固定效果具有重要意义。但现有实验条件及实验方法依然存在缺陷。例如,所有现有的实验均为体外实验,仅能反映即可实验结果,而且不能反映椎弓根螺钉在体内的长期力学特性。因此,本文通过椎弓根螺钉的自身设计、螺钉的植入技术、椎弓根螺钉的强化以及其他辅助椎弓根螺钉稳定性的辅助系统来全面分析脊柱椎弓根螺钉的生物力学。     

腰椎骨折患者伤椎置钉与不置钉临床疗效对比分析

目的:探讨腰椎骨折伤椎置钉和不置钉对疗效的影响,以期选择最佳治疗方法。方法:选取2011年6月-2015年6月80例腰椎骨折患者为研究对象,随机分为对照组39例,伤椎不置钉治疗,观察组41例,伤椎置钉治疗,观察治疗后临床效果和相关指标变化。结果:两组在切口长度、手术时间、出血量、住院时间上比较比较无统计学意义(P0.05);两组术后在后凸Cobb角、椎管侵占率上较术前明显下降,椎体高度恢复较术前明显升高,手术前后比较差异显著(P0.05),观察组在手术后6个月、术后12个月、拆除内固定时后凸Cobb角、椎管侵占率明显低于对照组,椎体高度恢复上明显高于对照组,两组比较差异均显著(P0.05),而手术后1周比较差异不显著(P0.05)。结论:腰椎骨折患者伤椎置钉临床疗效满意。     

A new technique for the surgical management of deformities in the growing spine.

The Luque procedure was developed to correct the deformity without the need of bracing and maintaining that correction with growth. However many authors are disappointed by their results and the complications which appear in the management of infantile scoliosis with Luque trolley alone. Besides failed implants, pseudarthrosis, modest spinal growth and protuberant rods and wires, the major problem of the Luque systems is the high incidence of loss of correction by postoperative rotation. Therefore a new application technique is recommended. A standard posterior extraperiostal approach is chosen. Sublaminar titanium cables are passed at each level except the caudal lamina. Then the rods are precontoured in shape of the planed curve correction. We use a low profile titanium instrumentation with 5.0 mm diameter rods and 4.2 mm pedicle screws. In contrast to the conventional use of two antiparallel "L"-rods we recommend the use of one reversed "U"-rod securing the laminae with sublaminar titanium cables of the upper end vertebrae. For fixation of the lower spine a dual-opening pedicle screw system is used. Using a holding forceps the distal rods are introduced and fixed into the side opening of the screws then secured by sublaminar wires. In addition both single rods are stabilized by a low profile cross link bar. This technique allows to correct pelvic obliquity and a stable anchorage of two screws reduces risk of postoperatively rotation or caudal rod slippage due to gravity forces.     

Calcium phosphate cement augmentation of cancellous bone screws can compensate for the absence of cortical fixation

An obvious means to improve the fixation of a cancellous bone screw is to augment the surrounding bone with cement. Previous studies have shown that bone augmentation with Calcium Phosphate (CaP) cement significantly improves screw fixation. Nevertheless, quantitative data about the optimal distribution of CaP cement is not available. The present study aims to show the effect of cement distribution on the screw fixation strength for various cortical thicknesses and to determine the conditions at which cement augmentation can compensate for the absence of cortical fixation in osteoporotic bone. In this study, artificial bone materials were used to mimic osteoporotic cancellous bone and cortical bone of varying thickness. These bone constructs were used to test the fixation strength of cancellous bone screws in different cortical thicknesses and different cement augmentation depths. The cement distribution was measured with microCT. The maximum pullout force was measured experimentally. The microCT analysis revealed a pseudo-conic shape distribution of the cement around the screws. While the maximum pullout strength of the screws in the artificial bone only was 30±7 N, it could increase up to approximately 1000 N under optimal conditions. Cement augmentation significantly increased pullout force in all cases. The effect of cortical thickness on pullout force was reduced with increased cement augmentation depth. Indeed, cement augmentation without cortical fixation increased pullout forces over that of screws without cement augmentation but with cortical fixation. Since cement augmentation significantly increased pullout force in all cases, we conclude that the loss of cortical fixation can be compensated by cement augmentation.     

生物活性玻璃提高骨质疏松绵羊椎弓根螺钉稳定性的体内实验研究

目的:研究生物活性玻璃(Bioactive Glass,BG)在骨质疏松绵羊体内强化椎弓根螺钉固定的力学效果,并观察钉道界面及材料吸收等情况。方法:4只成年雌性小尾寒羊,采用去势联合激素注射方法建立骨质疏松绵羊模型。选择绵羊L2至L5双侧椎弓根,随机化选取一侧直接拧入椎弓根螺钉(空白组),对侧采用BG强化钉道后拧入椎弓根螺钉(实验组)。术后3月随机选取6个椎体(12枚椎弓根螺钉),对螺钉骨质界面行显微CT分析和组织学观察。对剩余10个椎体(20枚椎弓根螺钉)行轴向拔出实验,分析螺钉固定强度。结果:术前绵羊腰椎BMD为0.818±0.0310 g/cm2,建模完成后为1.000±0.0316 g/cm2,BMD平均值下降22.38%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组螺钉骨质界面的Tb.Th、Tb.N组较对照组分别增加143.60%和33.56%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组钉道周围材料绝大部分已经降解吸收,大量新生骨组织紧密包裹螺钉;对照组钉道周围骨量较少,钉骨结合不紧密,实验组螺钉骨质界面结合优于对照组。实验组的最大轴向拔出力为1083.04±86.37N,空白组为871.76±79.03N,前者较后者提高25.26%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:生物活性玻璃能显著改善骨质疏松情况下螺钉骨质界面的骨微观结构,进而提高椎弓根螺钉的把持力。     

生物活性玻璃提高骨质疏松绵羊椎弓根螺钉稳定性的体内实验研究

目的：研究生物活性玻璃（Bioactive Glass,BG）在骨质疏松绵羊体内强化椎弓根螺钉固定的力学效果,并观察钉道界面及材料吸收等情况。方法：4只成年雌性小尾寒羊,采用去势联合激素注射方法建立骨质疏松绵羊模型。选择绵羊L2至L5双侧椎弓根,随机化选取一侧直接拧入椎弓根螺钉（空白组）,对侧采用BG强化钉道后拧入椎弓根螺钉（实验组）。术后3月随机选取6个椎体（12枚椎弓根螺钉）,对螺钉骨质界面行显微CT分析和组织学观察。对剩余10个椎体（20枚椎弓根螺钉）行轴向拔出实验,分析螺钉固定强度。结果：术前绵羊腰椎BMD为0.818±0.0310 g/cm2,建模完成后为1.000±0.0316 g/cm2,BMD平均值下降22.38%,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。实验组螺钉骨质界面的Tb.Th、Tb.N组较对照组分别增加143.60%和33.56%,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。实验组钉道周围材料绝大部分已经降解吸收,大量新生骨组织紧密包裹螺钉;对照组钉道周围骨量较少,钉骨结合不紧密,实验组螺钉骨质界面结合优于对照组。实验组的最大轴向拔出力为1083.04±86.37N,空白组为871.76±79.03N,前者较后者提高25.26%,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：生物活性玻璃能显著改善骨质疏松情况下螺钉骨质界面的骨微观结构,进而提高椎弓根螺钉的把持力。     

数字化骨科理念辅助椎弓根置钉在寰枢椎不稳中的临床应用

目的:探讨3D打印辅助置钉技术用于寰枢椎不稳椎弓根置钉的安全性及准确性。方法:收集2013年1月到2015年1月西安交通大学第一附属医院收治的寰枢椎不稳病例,术前采用3D打印技术构建个体化3D打印模型,在模型上模拟置钉,获取最佳置钉点、置钉角度等个体化置钉数据,并于术中辅助椎弓根螺钉置入。通过CT扫描评价置钉准确性,测量术前、术后患者寰齿间隙判断寰枢椎复位情况,测量颈延角评价脊髓压迫改善情况,并采用日本骨科学会(JOA)评分判断患者脊髓功能改善情况。术后定期随访观察固定效果、稳定性、神经损伤等手术并发症的发生情况。结果:13例患者均采用3D打印辅助置钉技术进行内固定治疗,手术顺利,术中及术后无血管、神经损伤等并发症,复位及内固定效果满意。共置入椎弓根螺钉31枚,其中29枚完全在椎弓根内,置钉准确率为93.5%。寰枢椎较术前明显复位,术后寰齿间隙、颈延角和JOA评分较术前明显改善,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:3D打印技术辅助上颈椎椎弓根置钉的准确性及安全性均较高。     

Stress analysis of a centrally fractured rib fixated by an intramedullary screw

The stress on an intramedullary screw rib fixation device holding together a centrally fractured human rib under in vivo force loadings was studied using finite element analysis (FEA). Validation of the FEA modelling using pullout from porcine ribs proved FEA to be suitable for assessing the structural integrity of screw/bone systems such as rib fixated by a screw. In the human rib fixation investigation, it was found that intramedullary bioresorbable Bioretec screws can fixate centrally fractured human ribs under normal breathing conditions. However, under coughing conditions, simulation showed Bioretec fixating screws to bend substantially. High stresses in the screw are mainly the result of flexion induced by the force loading, and are restricted to thin regions on the outside of the screw shaft. Stiffer screws result in less locally intense stress concentrations in bone, indicating that bone failure in the bone/screw contact regions can be averted with improvements in screw stiffness.     

Treatment of Upper Cervical Spine Instability with Posterior Fusion Plus Atlantoaxial Pedicle Screw

Clinical results of posterior fusion plus pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of upper cervical spine instability were taken under consideration. 24 patients with atlantoaxial instability were treated with C1-2 pedicle screws and rods fixation under general anesthesia. There were 18 males and 6 females with mean age of 49.8 years (age range 17–69 years). The postoperative radiographs verified good position of all screws, with satisfactory atlantoaxial reduction. Follow-up for 3–45 months (average 23 months) showed no spinal cord and vertebral artery injury or interfixation failure. Atlantoaxial alignment and stability were restored without complication due to instrumentation. In conclusion, posterior atlantoaxial pedicle screw and rod fixation provide immediate three-dimensional rigid fixation of atlantoaxial joint and are more effective techniques compared with previously reported techniques.     

Cortical screw pullout strength and effective shear stress in synthetic third generation composite femurs

BACKGROUND: The use of artificial bone analogs in biomechanical testing of orthopaedic fracture fixation devices has increased, particularly due to the recent development of commercially available femurs such as the third generation composite femur that closely reproduce the bulk mechanical behavior of human cadaveric and/or fresh whole bone. The purpose of this investigation was to measure bone screw pullout forces in composite femurs and determine whether results are comparable to cadaver data from previous literature. METHOD OF APPROACH: The pullout strengths of 3.5 and 4.5 mm standard bicortical screws inserted into synthetic third generation composite femurs were measured and compared to existing adult human cadaveric and animal data from the literature. RESULTS: For 3.5 mm screws, the measured extraction shear stress in synthetic femurs (23.70-33.99 MPa) was in the range of adult human femurs and tibias (24.4-38.8 MPa). For 4.5 mm screws, the measured values in synthetic femurs (26.04-34.76 MPa) were also similar to adult human specimens (15.9-38.9 MPa). Synthetic femur results for extraction stress showed no statistically significant site-to-site effect for 3.5 and 4.5 mm screws, with one exception. Overall, the 4.5 mm screws showed statistically higher stress required for extraction than 3.5 mm screws. CONCLUSIONS: The third generation composite femurs provide a satisfactory biomechanical analog to human long-bones at the screw-bone interface. However, it is not known whether these femurs perform similarly to human bone during physiological screw "toggling."     

Contribution to FE modeling for intraoperative pedicle screw strength prediction

Although the use of pedicle screws is considered safe, mechanical issues still often occur. Commonly reported issues are screw loosening, screw bending and screw fracture. The aim of this study was to develop a Finite Element (FE) model for the study of pedicle screw biomechanics and for the prediction of the intraoperative pullout strength. The model includes both a parameterized screw model and a patient-specific vertebra model. Pullout experiments were performed on 30 human cadaveric vertebrae from ten donors. The experimental force-displacement data served to evaluate the FE model performance. μCT images were taken before and after screw insertion, allowing the creation of an accurate 3D-model and a precise representation of the mechanical properties of the bone. The experimental results revealed a significant positive correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and pullout strength (Spearman ρ = 0.59, p < 0.001) as well as between BMD and pullout stiffness (Spearman ρ = 0.59, p < 0.001). A high positive correlation was also found between the pullout strength and stiffness (Spearman ρ = 0.84, p < 0.0001). The FE model was able to reproduce the linear part of the experimental force-displacement curve. Moreover, a high positive correlation was found between numerical and experimental pullout stiffness (Pearson ρ = 0.96, p < 0.005) and strength (Pearson ρ = 0.90, p < 0.05). Once fully validated, this model opens the way for a detailed study of pedicle screw biomechanics and for future adjustments of the screw design.     

Micro-CT and micro-FE analysis of pedicle screw fixation under different loading conditions

Anchorage of pedicle screw instrumentation in the elderly spine with poor bone quality remains challenging. In this study, micro finite element (µFE) models were used to assess the specific influence of screw design and the relative contribution of local bone density to fixation mechanics. These were created from micro computer tomography (µCT) scans of vertebras implanted with two types of pedicle screws, including a full region-or-interest of 10 mm radius around each screw, as well as submodels for the pedicle and inner trabecular bone of the vertebral body. The local bone volume fraction (BV/TV) calculated from the µCT scans around different regions of the screw (pedicle, inner trabecular region of the vertebral body) were then related to the predicted stiffness in simulated pull-out tests as well as to the experimental pull-out and torsional fixation properties mechanically measured on the corresponding specimens. Results show that predicted stiffness correlated excellently with experimental pull-out strength (R² > 0.92, p < .043), better than regional BV/TV alone (R2 = 0.79, p = .003). They also show that correlations between fixation properties and BV/TV were increased when accounting only for the pedicle zone (R² = 0.66–0.94, p ≤ .032), but with weaker correlations for torsional loads (R² < 0.10). Our analyses highlight the role of local density in the pedicle zone on the fixation stiffness and strength of pedicle screws when pull-out loads are involved, but that local apparent bone density alone may not be sufficient to explain resistance in torsion.     

Trans-Endplate Pedicle Pillar System in Unstable Spinal Burst Fractures: Design,Technique, and Mechanical Evaluation

Background

Short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation (SSPI) is used for unstable burst fractures to correct deformity and stabilize the spine for fusion. However, pedicle screw loosening, pullout, or breakage often occurs due to the large moment applied during spine motion, leading to poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of a newly designed device, the Trans-Endplate Pedicle Pillar System (TEPPS), to enhance SSPI rigidity and decrease the screw bending moment with a simple posterior approach.

Methods

Six human cadaveric spines (T11-L3) were harvested. A burst fracture was created at L1, and the SSPI (Moss Miami System) was used for SSPI fixation. Strain gauge sensors were mounted on upper pedicle screws to measure screw load bearing. Segmental motion (T12-L2) was measured under pure moment of 7.5 Nm. The spine was tested sequentially under 4 conditions: intact; first SSPI alone (SSPI-1); SSPI+TEPPS; and second SSPI alone (SSPI-2).

Results

SSPI+TEPPS increased fixation rigidity by 41% in flexion/extension, 28% in lateral bending, and 37% in axial rotation compared with SSPI-1 (P<0.001), and it performed even better compared to SSPI-2 (P<0.001 for all). Importantly, the bending moment on the pedicle screws for SSPI+TEPPS was significantly decreased 63% during spine flexion and 47% in lateral bending (p<0.001).

Conclusion

TEPPS provided strong anterior support, enhanced SSPI fixation rigidity, and dramatically decreased the load on the pedicle screws. Its biomechanical benefits could potentially improve fusion rates and decrease SSPI instrumentation failure.     

经骨折椎体椎弓根螺钉短节段固定治疗胸腰段骨折疗效

目的:评估和分析经骨折椎体椎弓根螺钉短节段固定治疗胸腰段单椎体粉碎性骨折的临床疗效。方法:选取胸腰段单椎体粉碎性骨折30例患者,分为两组,甲组20例,采用经骨折椎体椎弓根螺钉短节段固定治疗,均行骨折椎体及骨折椎体上下相邻椎体的椎弓根螺钉+双侧连接杆固定;乙组10例,只行骨折椎体的上下相邻椎体的椎弓根螺钉+连接杆固定术。术后随访。测定两组患者手术前后的椎体后凸畸形角和骨折椎体前方高度,评估其临床疗效。结果:术前平均后凸畸形角纠正:甲组15°,乙组11°,P0.05。术后骨折椎体前方的平均高度(和正常椎体前方高度比):甲组89%,乙组81%,P0.05;术后3个月随访:平均后凸畸形角纠正丢失,甲组2°,乙组6°,P0.05;骨折椎体前方的平均高度(和正常椎体前方高度比):甲组87%,乙组73%,P0.05。结论:经骨折椎体椎弓根螺钉短节段固定治疗胸腰段单椎体粉碎性骨折能提供更好的生物力学稳定性,更有利于骨折的复位和后凸畸形的纠正。     

Resorbable PLLA-PGA plate and screw fixation in pediatric craniofacial surgery: clinical experience in 1883 patients

The need to provide rigid bony fixation in the surgical treatment of craniofacial deformities has inspired an on-going evolution of surgical innovations and implants. Because of the young age of many treated craniosynostosis patients and the unique pattern of cranial vault growth, the extensive implantation of metal devices is potentially problematic. The use of resorbable plate and screw devices offers all of the benefits of rigid fixation without many of their potential risks. Since the introduction of resorbable plate and screw devices in 1996, tens of thousands of craniofacial patients have received implants, but long-term results from a large series have yet to be reported. A combined prospective and retrospective analysis was done on 1883 craniosynostosis patients under 2 years of age treated by 12 surgeons from seven different geographic locations over a 5-year period who used the same type of resorbable bone fixation devices (poly-L-lacticpolyglycolic copolymer). Specifically, the incidence of postoperative infection, fixation device failure, occurrence of delayed foreign-body reactions, and the need for reoperation resulting from device-related problems were determined. Technical difficulties and trends in device use were also noted. From this series, significant infectious complications occurred in 0.2 percent, device instability primarily resulting from postoperative trauma occurred in 0.3 percent, and self-limiting local foreign-body reactions occurred in 0.7 percent of the treated patients. The overall reoperation rate attributable to identifiable device-related problems was 0.3 percent. Improved bony stability was gained by using the longest plate geometries/configurations possible and bone grafting any significant gaps across plated areas that were structurally important. The specific types of plates and screws used evolved over the study period from simple plates, meshes, and threaded screws to application-specific plates and threadless push screws whose use varied among the involved surgeons. This report documents the safety and long-term value of the use of resorbable (LactoSorb) plate and screw fixation in pediatric craniofacial surgery in the infant and young child. Device-related complications requiring reoperation occurred in less than 0.5 percent of the implanted patients, which is less frequent than is reported for metallic bone fixation. Resorbable bone fixation for the rapidly growing cranial vault has fewer potential complications than the traditional use of metal plates, screws, and wires.     

Biomechanical differences of Coflex-F and pedicle screw fixation combined with TLIF or ALIF--a finite element study

Lumbar interbody fusion is a common procedure for treating lower back pain related to degenerative disc diseases. The Coflex-F is a recently developed interspinous spacer, the makers of which claim that it can provide stabilisation similar to pedicle screw fixation. Therefore, this study compares the biomechanical behaviour of the Coflex-F device and pedicle screw fixation with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) or anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgeries by using finite element analysis. The results show that the Coflex-F device combined with ALIF surgery can provide stability similar to the pedicle screw fixation combined with TLIF or ALIF surgery. Also, the posterior instrumentations (Coflex-F and pedicle screw fixation) combined with TLIF surgery had lower stability than when combined with ALIF surgery.