Abstract
Pedicle screws and rods are a modern posterior spinal instrumentation system that has gained widespread adoption throughout the world as the gold standard for instrumentation of the spine over the last two decades. They provide significant advantages in that they provide rigid 3-column fixation of the spine from an entirely posterior approach without reliance on intact dorsal elements. However, there is a steep learning curve for their placement, and adequate training is required prior to their routine use. They are not without their own set of unique complications. Many modifications to pedicle screws exist to improve clinical outcomes including augmentation with cement, and a variety of novel technologies can be used to help improve accuracy in their placement including fluoroscopy, computer navigation, and robotics.
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Jain, N.S., Hah, R.J. (2019). Pedicle Screw Fixation. In: Cheng, B. (eds) Handbook of Spine Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33037-2_57-1
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