The Usefulness of Electrical Stimulation for Assessing Pedicle Screw Placements
Authors:
- J. Richard ToleikisJTJ. Richard Toleikis
- Jon P. SkellyJSJon P. Skelly
- Arnold O. CarlvinACArnold O. Carlvin
- Sandra C. ToleikisSTSandra C. Toleikis
- Thomas N. BernardTBThomas N. Bernard
- J. Kenneth BurkusJBJ. Kenneth Burkus
- Max E. BurrMBMax E. Burr
- John D. DorchakJDJohn D. Dorchak
- Marc S. GoldmanMGMarc S. Goldman
- Thomas R. WalshTWThomas R. Walsh
- 1 August 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Journal of Spinal Disorders
- Vol. 13 (4) , 283-289
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to further establish the efficacy of pedicle screw stimulation as a monitoring technique to avoid nerve root injury during screw placement. The study population consisted of 662 patients in whom 3,409 pedicle screws were placed and tested by electrical stimulation. If stimulation resulted in a myogenic response at a stimulation intensity of 10 mA or less, the placement of the screw was inspected. Inspection was necessary for 3.9% of the screw placements in 15.4% of the study population. None of the patients in the study experienced any new postoperative neurologic deficits. These findings provide guidelines for the interpretation of stimulation data and support the use of this technique as an easy, inexpensive, and quick method to reliably assess screw placements and protecting neurological function.Keywords
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