Local tissue electrical resistances in transpedicular screw application in the thoracolumbar region

Abstract

Aim: To determine local tissue electrical resistance differences generated during a screw pass from the pedicle to another tissue rather than determining all individual electrical tissue resistance values. Material and methods: We attempted to measure electrical resistance values of regional tissues in addition to fluoroscopic imaging during application of fixation via a transpedicular screw. We also attempted to detect local tissue electrical resistance alterations in case of malposition of the screw inside the pedicle. For this purpose, local tissue electrical resistances of 10 transpedicular tracks opened with standard track openers bilaterally in 5 vertebrae, and of spinal cord accessed by puncturing the medial walls of three vertebrae in a cadaver were measured. These resistance differences were not only measured in human cadaveric tissue but also in 36 pedicles belonging to a total of 18 vertebrae between Th 1-S1 vertebrae of a sheep cadaver. Both medial and lateral walls were drilled to measure local tissue resistance differences in a sheep cadaver. Results: Our results indicated that local tissue electrical resistance changes were statistically significant in both human and sheep cadaver. Conclusion: It is possible to prevent screw malposition using a simple and cheap electrical resistance measurement. Local tissue electrical resistance measurement during transpedicular screw insertion is a safe, simple, cheap, and practical method.