Anterior transpedicular instrumentation of the lumbar spine: an anatomical study.

Lumbar burst fractures or massive tumorous destruction of the lumbar spine generally require a combined anterior-posterior surgical approach for adequate decompression and stabilization. Anatomical studies in 10 adult cadavers with 100 pedicle screw placements from a single strictly anterior approach showed that this new method represents a safe and promising way for stable lumbar spine instrumentation, avoiding the risks of a bilateral approach. The technique provides a stability comparable with bilateral instrumentation. Exact knowledge of the geometry of the corresponding vertebral bodies and the spinal canal by computed tomography scanning is a prerequisite for this surgical technique. First clinical applications using this technique reconfirm the experiences of the anatomical study.