title: The causes of failure of lumbar transpedicular spinal instrumentation and fusion: a prospective study.
abstract: A prospective study was made of 101 patients who underwent transpedicular spinal instrumentation and fusion of the lumbar spine. All were reviewed by an independent observer. The objectives were to determine the causes of clinical failure and to recommend preventive measures. Forty-two primary and 59 revision operations were performed. The average age was 46 years and follow up 4 years. The variable screw placement and Cotrel-Dubousset systems were used. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion was carried out in 24 patients. The outcome was satisfactory after primary operations in 67% and after revisions in 46%. Nerve root injuries due to screw placement occurred in 4% (2% permanent and 2% transient). Instrumentation-induced foraminal stenosis developed in 2%. Proper surgical technique can avoid these complications. Predictive factors for failure are: abnormal psychology, symptomatic epidural fibrosis, inadequate decompression of lateral stenosis, surgical complications and the use of allografts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0792, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadjipavlou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Enker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dupuis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katzman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure