Do facet screws provide the required stability in lumbar fixation? A biomechanical comparison of the Boucher technique and pedicular fixation in primary and circumferential fusions

Background: Transfacet pedicle screws are scarcely used in primary posterior fixation, and have limited use unilaterally or with existing anterior instrumentation. Nevertheless, the incomplete literature suggests equivalent or better performance of ipsilateral, bilateral, facet screws compared to bilateral pedicle screws. Methods: Two groups of seven human cadaver spines (L3-S1) were tested under pure moments of 6 Nm. Each specimen was tested in a primary and circumferential fixation (Spacer. Spacer + Plate) environment. Both transfacet and bilateral pedicle screws were used as posterior fixation, in separate groups. Motion was obtained at L4-L5 for single-level constructs in flexion-extension, lateral bending and axial rotation modes. Findings: In primary fixation, both transfacet and bilateral pedicle screws reduced motion below intact levels. Statistically, the level of circumferential fixation (anterior, posterior, or both) proved to be more influential than the type of posterior fixation. Incorporating a spacer and plate with pedicle screws provided a greater relative gain in stability than with facet screws. The interpretation is explained through a model describing the location of fixation with respect to the center-of-rotation of the vertebral bodies. In lateral bending and axial rotation, bilateral pedicle screw constructs were stiffer than transfacet pedicle screw constructs as a trend. Interpretation: Transfacet pedicle screws provided similar fixation to bilateral pedicle screws in primary and circumferential fixations during flexion-extension. In the other modes, transfacet screw rigidity is, on average, less than bilateral pedicle screws when used alone, but with the addition of other anterior instrumentation the differences are minimized. Therefore, facet screws are warranted based on the surgical effect desired, and in the presence of additional anterior fixation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.