Percutaneous screws
Percutaneous screws are innovative medical devices used in orthopedic surgery to fix and stabilize bone fractures and joint injuries.
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These screws, with a thorough design and precise placement, offer numerous advantages compared to traditional surgical fixation methods, allowing minimally invasive surgery to be performed, resulting in less trauma for patients and shorter recovery times. Additionally, percutaneous placement avoids large incisions and reduces the risk of infections or postoperative complications.
When are percutaneous screws indicated?
As key elements of orthopedic surgery, percutaneous screws may be indicated in the following cases:
Bone fractures
Percutaneous screws are a treatment option for bone fractures, especially in those patients in whom reduction and open fixation are not necessary. These screws allow the fracture to be stabilized and promote bone healing.
Foot deformities
In the case of foot deformities such as Hallux Valgus, percutaneous screws can be used to correct and stabilize the affected joint in a faster and less invasive way compared to traditional methods.
Vertebral arthrodesis
In certain conditions of the spine, including: instability or degeneration of the vertebrae; Percutaneous screws may be used during spinal fusion. These screws help fuse the affected vertebrae together and provide added stability.
Spinal synovial cysts
In some cases of spinal synovial cysts, percutaneous screw placement may be part of the treatment. These screws are used in combination with cyst resection to stabilize the spine and prevent recurrence of the cyst.
Benefits of Percutaneous Screws
Percutaneous screws offer additional benefits when compared to traditional methods of surgical fixation. Here are some of them:
- Minimally invasive surgery: Through percutaneous screws, reduced trauma to surrounding tissues, less blood loss, less postoperative pain, and faster recovery is obtained.
- Lower risk of infection: The percutaneous technique minimizes exposure to the external environment, reducing the risk of postoperative infections.
- Shorter recovery time: Due to the lower invasiveness of percutaneous surgery, patients typically experience a faster recovery and can resume normal daily activities in less time.
- Biomechanical stability: Percutaneous screws provide stable fixation of fractures and joint injuries, improving bone consolidation and increasing joint stability.
- Less scarring and better aesthetics: The smaller incisions used in the percutaneous technique result in smaller, less visible scars.
- Reduced damage to surrounding tissues: Percutaneous screws avoid the need for large incisions and tissue peels, minimizing damage to nearby muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Disadvantages of Percutaneous Screws
While percutaneous screws offer many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Some of them may include:
- Increased learning curve: Percutaneous screw placement may require specialized skills and experience on the part of the surgeon.
- Limitations in fixation: Depending on the type of injury or fracture, there may be limitations in the ability of percutaneous screws to provide adequate fixation.
- Less visual control: When inserting the screws through small incisions and using X-ray guides, there may be direct visual limitation during the procedure.
Surgical procedure for the placement of Percutaneous Screws
The surgical procedure for percutaneous screw placement varies depending on the anatomical area and the patient’s specific condition, but in general, it involves the following steps:
Patient Preparation
Prior to surgery, a complete medical evaluation is performed to ensure that the patient is in optimal condition for the procedure.
Anaesthesia
The patient is given anesthesia to ensure that they are comfortable and pain-free during surgery. The type of anesthesia used can range from local anesthesia to general anesthesia.
Patient Positioning
The patient is placed in the proper position to access the area of interest safely and allow for precise insertion of the percutaneous screws.
X-ray guide
Real-time radiographic imaging or pre-imaging is used to guide the placement of the percutaneous screws precisely.
Small incisions
Small incisions are made in the skin at the location selected for each percutaneous screw. These incisions allow access to the target bone without the need for large incisions.
Screw Placement
Using special guides and techniques, the screws are inserted through the incisions in the skin and bone. The precise location and depth of the screws are determined by the X-ray guide.
Incision closure
Once all the necessary percutaneous screws have been placed, the incisions are closed with sutures or surgical adhesives.
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