• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.967-972
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• 2018

Study Design: Biomechanical study. Purpose: To investigate the relative stiffness of a new posterior pelvic fixation for unstable vertical fractures of the sacrum. Overview of Literature: The reported operative fixation techniques for vertical sacral fractures include iliosacral screw, sacral bar fixations, transiliac plating, and local plate osteosynthesis. Clinical as well as biomechanical studies have demonstrated that these conventional techniques are insufficient to stabilize the vertically unstable sacral fractures. Methods: To simulate a vertically unstable fractured sacrum, 12 synthetic pelvic models were prepared. In each model, a 5-mm gap was created through the left transforaminal zone (Denis zone II). The pubic symphysis was completely separated and then stabilized using a 3.5-mm reconstruction plate. Four each of the unstable pelvic models were then fixed with two iliosacral screws, a tension band plate, or a transiliac fixation plus one iliosacral screw. The left hemipelvis of these specimens was docked to a rigid base plate and loaded on an S1 endplate by using the Zwick Roell z010 material testing machine. Then, the vertical displacement and coronal tilt of the right hemipelves and the applied force were measured. Results: The transiliac fixation plus one iliosacral screw constructions could withstand a force at 5 mm of vertical displacement greater than the two iliosacral screw constructions (p=0.012) and the tension band plate constructions (p=0.003). The tension band plate constructions could withstand a force at $5^{\circ}$ of coronal tilt less than the two iliosacral screw constructions (p=0.027) and the transiliac fixation plus one iliosacral screw constructions (p=0.049). Conclusions: This study proposes the use of transiliac fixation in addition to an iliosacral screw to stabilize vertically unstable sacral fractures. Our biomechanical data demonstrated the superiority of adding transiliac fixation to withstand vertical displacement forces.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2006

Objective : To determine the clinical and radiological safety of 15 consecutive patients managed with plate and screw fixation systems applied to the cervical lateral mass. Methods : 15 patients who underwent posterior cervical and T1 arthrodesis were reviewed from Jan 2002 to Dec 2004. Posterior cervical screw and plate fixation was applied on the lateral mass of the cervical spine. The authors have tried lateral mass screw fixation using a modified Magerl's technique [$20^{\circ}$ lateral and $20{\sim}30^{\circ}$ rostral screw trajectory] under preliminary radiological study. The average patient age was $39.73^{\circ}{\pm}11.00\;years$, and the average follow-up period was $9.73^{\circ}{\pm}6.77\;months$. Computed tomography scans taken after surgery were reviewed to confirm the attempted screw trajectory correct and safety. Results : Three of 93 lateral mass screws were malpositioned but clinical damage was not noted. Two of 8 pedicle screws on the T1 vertebrae were not placed on the correct pedicle area. Screw and plate loosening was observed in one case but was not subjected to an additional procedure because of maintained screw position observed during follow-up periods. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that lateral mass screw fixation using the Modified Magerl's technique on the cervical lateral mass may provide safe and effective application on the patients. In addition, the chance of incorrectly placed screws was higher in T1 pedicle screw fixation than in lateral mass screw fixation of the cervical area.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.265-268
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• 2005

Objective : With the increasing popularity of pedicle screw fixation devices for several indications, the safety and reliability of screw insertion in the small pedicle has become a major issue. Many studies have investigated the accuracy of screw placement after pedicle screw fixation using various method. The reported displacement rates have been very different. The purpose of the study is to investigate the proper placement of pedicle screw insertion in the lumbar spine on 26 consecutive patients. Methods : Between September and December 2003, 26 consecutive patients [16women and 10men] were analyzed after transpedicular screw fixation of the lumbar and lumbosacral spine. After pedicle screw fixation in this study, 2-mm slices of CT scan were performed in all patients to detect caudal and cranial deviation of screw and medial and lateral deviation. Pedcile screw placement related complication was evaluated clinically. Results : A total of 144 inserted pedicle were analyzed in 26patients, and 58pedicle screws [40.3%] were detected to be improper placement. There were 14level [9.0%] of caudal or cranial deviation and 44level [30.6%] of medial or lateral deviation to the pedicle. Extra-pedicle placement was found on 4levels [2.7%] with only lease of neurologic injury. Conclusion : Proper screw placement, though complication rate is low, is important not only for clinical symptom but also for biomechanics. Further study for screw placement related biomechanical changes is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.177-181
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• 2012

We present a case of an athetoid cerebral palsy with quadriparesis caused by kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine, severe spinal stenosis at the cervicomedullary junction, and atlantoaxial instability. The patient improved after the first surgery, which included a C1 total laminectomy and C-arm guided righ side unilateral C1-2 transarticular screw fixation. C1-2 fixation was not performed on the other side because of an aberrant and dominant vertebral artery (VA). Eight months after the first operation, the patient required revision surgery for persistent neck pain and screw malposition. We used intraoperative VA angiography with simultaneous fluoroscopy for precise image guidance during bilateral C1-2 transarticular screw fixation. Intraoperative VA angiography allowed the accurate insertion of screws, and can therefore be used to avoid VA injury during C1-2 transarticular screw fixation in comorbid patients with atlantoaxial deformities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.175-179
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• 2006

Objective : The surgical outcome of anterior lumbar interbody fusion[ALlF] with pedicle screw fixation for elderly isthmic spondylolisthesis was analyzed. Methods : Consecutive nineteen elderly patients [aged 65 years or more] with isthmic spondylolisthesis [Grade I or II] who underwent single level ALIF with pedicle screw fixation in 2002 were analyzed. Using clinical chart and mailed questionnaires, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale[VAS] of back and leg pain and postopertive Macnab criteria were evaluated. Results : The mean age at the time of operation was 68.4 years [range 65 to 78 years]. Twelve patients underwent ALIF with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. Seven patients underwent ALIF followed by posterior decompression and pedicle screw fixation. The postoperative complication rate was 10.5% [wound dehiscence in 1 patient and incisional hernia in 1 patient]. There was no postoperative major morbidity or mortality. At a mean follow-up duration of 30.7 months [range 25 to 35 months], 93.3% [14/15] of the patients showed excellent or good outcomes in terms of Macnab criteria. The mean VAS scores of back pain and leg pain significantly decreased after surgery. Conclusion : ALIF with pedicle screw fixation yielded favorable results for elderly isthmic spondylolisthesis in selected cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of atlantoaxial stabilization using a new entry point for C2 pedicle screw fixation. Methods : Data were collected from 44 patients undergoing posterior C1 lateral mass screw and C2 screw fixation. The 20 cases were approached by the Harms entry point, 21 by the inferolateral point, and three by pars screw. The new inferolateral entry point of the C2 pedicle was located about 3-5 mm medial to the lateral border of the C2 lateral mass and 5-7 mm superior to the inferior border of the C2-3 facet joint. The screw was inserted at an angle $30^{\circ}$ to $45^{\circ}$ toward the midline in the transverse plane and $40^{\circ}$ to $50^{\circ}$ cephalad in the sagittal plane. Patients received followed-up with clinical examinations, radiographs and/or CT scans. Results : There were 28 males and 16 females. No neurological deterioration or vertebral artery injuries were observed. Five cases showed malpositioned screws (2.84%), with four of the screws showing cortical breaches of the transverse foramen. There were no clinical consequences for these five patients. One screw in the C1 lateral mass had a medial cortical breach. None of the screws were malpositioned in patients treated using the new entry point. There was a significant relationship between two group (p=0.036). Conclusion : Posterior C1-2 screw fixation can be performed safely using the new inferolateral entry point for C2 pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of high cervical lesions.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 1997

Tarsometatarsal fracture-dislocation is uncommon but severe lesion. Since this lesion is sometimes difficult to recognize by roentgenography, it is easily overlooked. Three patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with 3.5 mm cannulated screw and K-wire, two had treatment with open reduction and internal fixation with 3.5 mm cannulated screw only and two had treatment with dosed reduction and short leg cast only between January 1994 and May 1996. The duration of follow-up ranged from twelve to twenty-nine months after the diagnosis. Results were assessed by a subjective questiormaire, physical examination, and radiographic analysis. Multiple fixation techniques for maintaining the reduction of tarsometatarsl joint have been introduced. We recent]y used the 3.5 mm cannulated screw for internal fixation of the tarso-first and second metatarsal fracture-dislocation. We think cannulated screw fixation has several advantages; 1. The cannulated screw fixation is more rigid than the K-wire fixation. 2. There is an decreased risk of screw breakage with early weight bearing. 3. It is possible to compress the involved joints, if necessary. There were no disability in all patients. One patient who was treated with delayed open reduction and internal fixation with 3.5 mm cannulated screw and K-wire had a radiographic mild degenerative arthritis. And one patient who was treated with dosed reduction and short leg cast had a mild metatarsus adductus. But. these two patients were symptom free. There was no correlation between the severity of the diastasis and the patient s functional result.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2013

Purpose: We aimed to analyze the effect of fixation tightness of the syndesmotic screw and its indwelling period on the recurrence of the syndesmosis widening after screw removal and the clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Forty consecutive patients with acute syndesmotic injury were retrospectively reviewed. The tibiofibular clear space is measured by digitalized measurement tool on serial radiographs. We analyzed the effect of time from trauma to fixation, syndesmotic screw indwelling duration, and fixation methods. Residual symptoms at the last follow up were evaluated. The student t-test, correlation test, and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Eighteen ankles (45%) had recurrent syndesmosis widening (greater than 5% compared to the contralateral side). Seven patients had pain and five had limitation of motion in the ankle joint. Fixation tightness had significant effect on reducing the recurrence while the severity of the initial widening, time to fixation, and duration of fixation did not affect the outcome. Conclusion: Tight fixation of syndesmotic screw is essential for achieving final syndesmotic stability and reducing recurrence.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2010

Objective : In cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ), the use of strong fixation device such as pedicle screw-rod system is often required. Purpose of this study is to analyze the anatomical features of C7 and T1 pedicles related to screw insertion and to evaluate the safety of pedicle screw insertion at these levels. Methods : Nineteen patients underwent posterior CTJ fixation with C7 and/or T1 included in fixation levels. Seventeen patients had tumorous conditions and two with post-laminectomy kyphosis. The anatomical features were analyzed for C7 and T1 pedicles in 19 patients using computerized tomography (CT). Pedicle screw and rod fixation system was used in 16 patients. Pedicle violation by screws was evaluated with postoperative CT scan. Results : The mean values of the width, height, stable depth, safety angle, transverse angle, and sagittal angle of C7 pedicles were $6.9{\pm}1.34\;mm$, $8.23{\pm}1.18\;mm$, $30.93{\pm}4.65\;mm$, $26.42{\pm}7.91$ degrees, $25.9{\pm}4.83$ degrees, and $10.6{\pm}3.39$ degrees. At T1 pedicles, anatomic parameters were similar to those of C7. The pedicle violation revealed that 64.1% showed grade I violation and 35.9% showed grade II violation, overall. As for C7 pedicle screw insertion, grade I was 61.5% and grade II 38.5%. At T1 level, grade I was 65.0% and grade II 35.0%. There was no significant difference in violation rate between the whole group, C7, and T1 group. Conclusion : C7 pedicles can withstand pedicle screw insertion. C7 pedicle and T1 pedicle are anatomically very similar. With the use of adequate fluoroscopic oblique view, pedicle screw can be safely inserted at C7 and T1 levels.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.332-336
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• 2012

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate fixation methods and determine the best method for the postoperative stabilization of maxillary osteotomy. For our analysis we performed a three-dimensional finite element analysis of stress distribution on the plate, screw, and surrounding bone, as well as displacement onto the plate. Materials and Methods: We generated a model using synthetic skull scan data; an initital surface model was changed to a solid model using software. Modified anterior segmental osteotomy (using Park's method) was made using the program, and four different types of fixation methods were used. An anterior load of 100 N was applied on the palatal surface of two central incisors. Results: The Type 1 (L-shaped) fixation method gave stresses of 187.8 MPa at the plate, 45.8 MPa at the screw, and 15.4 MPa at the bone around the plate. The Type 2 (I-shaped) fixation method gave stresses of 186.6 MPa at the plate, 75.7 MPa at the screw, and 13.8 MPa at the bone around the plate. The Type 3 (inverted L-shaped) fixation method gave stresses of 28.6 MPa at the plate, 29.9 MPa at the screw, and 15.3 MPa at the bone around the plate. The Type 4 (I-shaped) fixation method gave stresses of 34.8 MPa at the plate, 36.9 MPa at the screw, and 14.9 MPa at the bone around the plate. The deflection of the plates for the four fixation methods was 0.014 mm, 0.022 mm, 0.017 mm, and 0.018 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The Type 3 (inverted L-shaped) fixation method offers more stability than the other fixation methods. We therefore recommend this method for the postoperative stabilization of maxillary osteotomy.