Retrieval of retained Jamshidi needle fragments during minimally invasive surgery

As surgical techniques evolve, new intraoperative complications are prone to occur. With percutaneous spinal fixation, the control of implants and instruments can be a challenge when compared with open surgery, particularly if unintended instruments are retained or difficult to retrieve. In this report, the authors describe a case in which Jamshidi needle fragments broke within the vertebral body. Extraction of the fragments was accomplished using a small pedicle screw tap to first engage the retained metal and then to loosen the surrounding bone to allow retrieval and preservation of the anatomical structures needed to complete the intended operation. This technique may prove useful for the retrieval of deformable, cannulated metal pieces in minimally invasive surgery.