Persistently electrified pedicle stimulation instruments in spinal instrumentation. Technique and protocol development.
METHODS
A prospective review was done of a new intraoperative technique developed to detect and prevent neurologic compromise during pedicle screw insertion.


OBJECTIVE
To describe in sufficient detail the technique of persistently electrified pedicle stimulation instruments, so that this technique will be available generally to all clinical neurophysiologists and spine surgeons; and to demonstrate the use, typical results, interpretation, and protocol of the technique.


BACKGROUND
Fusion techniques that use pedicle instrumentation have the potential to cause nerve root injury. Several authors have proposed imaging and neurophysiologic methods to improve outcome. The present method represents a significant theoretical departure and advance from previously reported methods.


METHODS
All relevant instruments used during pedicle instrumentation were converted easily, inexpensively, and quickly into monopolar stimulators with appropriate stimulus voltages to identify broaches of pedicle bone via evoked-electromyograms from relevant muscle groups.


RESULTS
The persistently electrified pedicle stimulation instrument technique provided accurate intraoperative neurophysiologic information concerning pedicle, integrity in the patients studied. The protocol is standardized and adaptable easily, inexpensively, and quickly to most clinical applications.


CONCLUSIONS
The persistently electrified pedicle stimulation instrument technique described here is useful for monitoring instrumented lumbar fusion procedures. The use of this protocol may help confirm intraosseous placement of pedicle screws and prevent neurologic injury.
Rose
R D
RD
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
Welch
W C
WC
Balzer
J R
JR
Jacobs
G B
GB
D001863:Bone Screws; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion