Protocol and results of a day-surgical program for the removal of lumbar pedicle screw implants.
The removal of potentially painful lumbar pedicle screw implants is a recognized procedure not yet extensively reported in the literature. The extensive dissection required to accomplish it is such that this operation is generally done on an inpatient basis. A defined protocol of pre-, intra-, and postoperative care was instituted in the senior author's practice in 1995, with the goal of accomplishing these operations on a day-surgical basis. We report the results of 70 such procedures performed in the calendar years 1995-1999 with attention to the efficacy of the protocol in facilitating ambulatory care. The protocol is safe and effective.
Bednar
Drew A
DA
Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. spinopod@attcanada.ca
Salem
Jassem
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001863:Bone Screws; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors