Rate of pedicle screws misplacement in fluoroscopy-guided thoracolumbar surgeries

Abstract

Background and aim Pedicle screw misplacement rate ranged from 5 to 41% in the lumbar spine and from 3 to 55% in the thoracic spine. The study aimed to estimate the rate of pedicle screw misplacement and compare it with the rate of others. Patients and methods A total of 508 pedicle screws were inserted in 100 patients of varying etiologies. All patients had fluoroscopy-guided screw fixation and the position of the screw within the pedicle was assessed radiologically. Results A total of 117 (23%) of the screws had pedicle violations. Violation of the medial and lateral cortices occurred in 48 (9.4%) (3.4±2.3) and 18 (3.5%) (2.8±1.5) screws, respectively. Violation of the superior cortex and inferior cortices occurred in one (0.2%) (2±–) and four (0.8%) (1.8±0.9) screws, respectively. Violation of the anterior cortex occurred in 46 (9.1%) (4±1.7) screws. Conclusion The rate of screw misplacement in this study agreed with the other surgeons’ rates which are affected by the surgeons’ techniques.