Protocol and results of a day-surgical program for the removal of lumbar pedicle screw implants

The removal of potentially painful lumbar pedicle screw implants is a recognized procedure not yet extensively reported in the literature. The extensive dissection required to accomplish it is such that this operation is generally done on an inpatient basis. A defined protocol of pre-, intra-, and postoperative care was instituted in the senior author's practice in 1995, with the goal of accomplishing these operations on a day-surgical basis. We report the results of 70 such procedures performed in the calendar years 1995-1999 with attention to the efficacy of the protocol in facilitating ambulatory care. The protocol is safe and effective.