Indications for pedicle fixation. Results of NASS/SRS faculty questionnaire. North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society.
METHODS
The faculty of the North American Spine Society and Scoliosis Research Society pedicle fixation workshop were questioned about their use of pedicle screw implants for fixation of the spine.


OBJECTIVE
This study ascertained which faculty members used pedicle implants given specific clinical scenarios and analyzed the data for trends and consensus.


BACKGROUND
For the past 4 years, the North American Spine Society in conjunction with the Scoliosis Research Society has sponsored a course on pedicle fixation of the spine. During these courses, techniques of pedicle fixation have been discussed. The indications, however, for pedicle fixation have remained controversial, even among the course faculty.


METHODS
A questionnaire was developed with 20 clinical scenarios, and the faculty were asked whether they would use pedicle implants as part of their surgical treatment.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight of 45 (84%) questionnaires have been received and analyzed. For most scenarios, there was statistically significant consensus among the faculty that they would use a pedicle implant. There was statistically significant consensus that the faculty would not use pedicle implants for thoracic fractures or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is useful in assessing pedicle implant usage in our community but should not be used as a guide for their indications and contraindications.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
M J
MJ
Crawford
S I
SI
Esses
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires