title: Using the freehand pedicle screw placement technique in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: what is the incidence of neurological symptoms secondary to misplaced screws?
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the incidence of postoperative neurological symptoms after a freehand pedicle screw insertion technique in idiopathic posterior scoliosis surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  It is generally accepted that pedicle screws can be inserted by a freehand technique in the thoracic and lumbar spine in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with a very low frequency of major complications. The prevalence of clinically significant screw misplacement, with or without the need for revision surgery is less well defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1, 2000, and October 2, 2012, five hundred fifty-nine patients with AIS had thoracolumbar posterior instrumented spine surgery at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Each patient's chart and radiographs were reviewed and only those with AIS were included. Patients with neuromuscular and syndromic diagnoses were excluded as well as those with congenital or traumatic etiologies, incomplete charts, less than 3 months of follow-up and those without pedicle screws. The records were studied for complaints of radicular pain, neurological deficit, or severe headache that could be indicative of potential screw misplacement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred eighty-one patients with 5923 pedicle screws met the inclusion criteria. Nine patients (1.9%) developed symptoms and underwent computed tomographic scanning. Six patients were found to have pedicle screw malposition (8 screws) and 3 of these patients underwent revision surgery. Of the 3 revision patients, 2 presented with radicular symptoms (leg pain) and 1 with an orthostatic headache due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage. At the final follow-up, all revision patients had complete symptom resolution. In total, there were 8 symptomatic, misplaced pedicle screws (0.14%) in 6 patients (1.25%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During a 12-year period in a dedicated pediatric orthopedic hospital using the freehand placement technique, the incidence of symptomatic misplaced pedicle screws was exceedingly low.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dede
authors.forename: William Timothy
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Austin J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bowles
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Roach
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome