Percutaneous Minimal Invasive Pedicular Screw and Rod Insertion in Circumferential Lumbar Fusion

The control group received posterior fixation with pedicle screws through a midline approach. Through the approach bone was harvested from the right posterior iliac crest. Before closure of the posterior approach an epidural catheter and a drain was placed.

The intervention group received posterior fixation through 6 percutaneous stab incisions with the use of the sextant system. Through a separate 3-4 cm long incision, bone was harvested from the right posterior iliac crest. After decorticating the transverse processes through the stab wounds, the bone graft was placed with a 10 ml cut syringe. An epidural catheter was placed at the end of the posterior procedure.