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Updated: May 23, 2026
A Procedure for Implanting a Spinal Chamber for Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Mouse Spinal Cord
Published on: December 3, 2014
[Hardware removal after spinal instrumentation]
H C Baron1, B G Ochs, F M Stuby
1Klinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Tübingen, Eberhard Karls-Universität Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 95, 72076, Tübingen, Deutschland.
Abstract:
Because of the increasing number of patients with surgically treated injuries of the spine we more often have to answer the question of indication for hardware removal. In the cervical spine and after anterior instrumentations of the thoracic and lumbar spine hardware removal is only indicated as part of the management of postoperative complications. After dorsal instrumentation for fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine, implant-associated discomfort is possible. In addition, in non-fusion procedures there is the risk of implant failure. In these cases the hardware should be removed. If the consolidation of the fracture is in doubt, a preoperative CT scan is useful.
