Anterior transpedicular instrumentation of the lumbar spine: an anatomical study.
Lumbar burst fractures or massive tumorous destruction of the lumbar spine generally require a combined anterior-posterior surgical approach for adequate decompression and stabilization. Anatomical studies in 10 adult cadavers with 100 pedicle screw placements from a single strictly anterior approach showed that this new method represents a safe and promising way for stable lumbar spine instrumentation, avoiding the risks of a bilateral approach. The technique provides a stability comparable with bilateral instrumentation. Exact knowledge of the geometry of the corresponding vertebral bodies and the spinal canal by computed tomography scanning is a prerequisite for this surgical technique. First clinical applications using this technique reconfirm the experiences of the anatomical study.
Hertlein
H
H
Chirurgische Klinik, Universität München, Germany.
Mittlmeier
T
T
Schürmann
M
M
Lob
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography