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Percutaneous Pedicle Screws
Percutaneous Pedcile Screws Video
Watch video of Dr. Kleeman perfom this surgery which gives a clear picture
of the Percutaneous Pedicle Screws procedure. Click
Here To Watch Video
A spinal fusion is a bond between two vertebrae building a bridge of
living
bone across the disc space to unite the vertebrae on either side. It is
like a
slow setting epoxy which takes about 3 months to set up. If one has a
broken
table leg that is being repaired with epoxy it often helps to apply a
plate and
screws to hold it together until the epoxy sets up. In a similar fashion
pedicle
screws and connecting rods are used as an internal splint to support the
spine
while the fusion is progressing. They give support to prevent settling
of the
vertebrae and prevent micromotion both of which can be painful. The use
of this
internal hardware often frees the patient to resume normal activities
right away
without having to wear a cumbersome body brace.
Incisions for percutaneous screws
Sextant screw system
Technology has created a mechanism to insert these screws through small
½”
skin incisions. Using sequential dilators, ports are created between the
muscles
preventing them from being cut and therefore preventing painful scar tissue.
O-arm generating CT scan
Navigation
with O-arm
Using radiographic navigation, a diagnostic quality CT scan can be created
in
the operating room. This scan is then linked to the instruments allowing
them
to be visualized “real-time” on the CT scan images. The surgery
can then be
performed through small percutaneous incisions accessing the spine deep
inside the body without having to expose it directly.
Navigation
screen with pedicle probe
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