J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1995 Apr;24(4):450-457.

Surgical Experiences of Pedicle Screw Fixation for Lumbar Degenerative Disease

• Lee HY
• Rhim SC
• Kim CJ
• Lee JK
• Kwun BD
• Whang CJ

Abstract

Pedicle screw fixation is coming into wide use as an adjunct to fusion procedures for the patients with various lumbar degenerative diseases causing spinal stenosis in conjunction with traditional decompressive laminectomy. Twenty-five patients with lumbar degerative disease who underwent surgery using the pedicle screw since 1989 were review with reference to surgical outcome and problems associated with pedicle screw instrumentation of the lumbar spine. Based on return to work or activities of daily living, drug usage patterns, and complaints of pain, twenty-two patients(88%) had a successful clinical results. Major complications included three permanent nerve root deficits, one symptomatic instrument failure, one deep wound infection at donor site and two pulmonary embolisms;one patient led to a fetal outcome. However the pedicle screw is a very effective tool of immobilization of the lumbar spine and it is recommended that more careful preoperative evaluation, better surgical technique and experience are required to avoid the serious complications and to achieve better surgical outcome.

Keyword

Pedicle screw; Lumbar degenerative disease; Complications; Pulmonary embolism

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Humans
Immobilization
Laminectomy
Pulmonary Embolism
Return to Work
Spinal Stenosis
Spine
Tissue Donors
Wound Infection