The Wiltse pedicle screw fixation system. Early clinical results

Ninety-nine patients were studied prospectively after spine fusion augmented with the Wiltse pedicle screw fixation system. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 34 months, averaging 20 months. There were 33 men and 66 women. Their ages ranged from 20 to 86, with the average age of 52. This was the first spine surgery in 23 patients. Seventy-six patients had had prior spine surgery. Spine fusion was attempted at one to four levels of the lumbosacral spine. Major perioperative complications were seen in seven patients (7%). Hardware failure was seen in seven cases (7%). Union was assessed by radiographs at 1 year or more after surgery in 82 patients (85%). In those 82 patients, union was seen in 56 (68%) and nonunion in 26 (32%). Change in lordosis was measured in 54 patients. The average change was a loss of 1.7 degrees lordosis per level fused. A questionnaire was answered by 79 patients (81%). Overall, 55 (70%) stated that they had some benefit from surgery, ten (13%) had no change, and 13 (17%) were worse.