Chang Gung medical journal
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Incorrect placement of pedicle screws may lead to neurovascular injury, so the position is important for the reduction of spinal fractures. CT-based image-guided surgery has been promoted as a means to theoretically improve the accuracy of pedicle screw placement. Patients who underwent CT-based navigation-assisted pedicle screw fixation for thoracic or lumbar fractures were reviewed to evaluate the accuracy of pedicle screw placement for spinal fracture cases. ⋯ The accuracy of pedicle screw placement is crucial for thoracolumbar spine fracture fixation. The placement of pedicle screws can be done accurately with the aid of a CT-based image-guided system. Furthermore, this opens the possibility for surgeons to reduce radiation exposure by eliminating the need for intraoperative fluoroscopy.