Validation of Triggered EMG Values for Pedicle Screws Using a Powered Screwdriver

Completed

Conditions studied: Scoliosis

In brief

Previous studies have shown how triggered electromyogram (EMG) pedicle screw stimulation can be used to effectively test correct pedicle screw placement in the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. Most papers agree that if more than 6mA of current are needed to elicit a response the screw is correctly placed in the bone. If there is a response with less than 6mA there is a strong likelihood of a breach of the pedicle wall or invasion of the spinal canal. Typically this triggered EMG stimulation is done after all the screws have been placed with a ball-tipped probe and is paired with intraoperative fluoroscopy to ensure correct placement of the screws. Another method of testing the current for each screw is with a powered screwdriver, which can stimulate and give a reading as the surgeon places each screw. Both of these methods are currently used by surgeons, however the powered screwdriver has been found to be a faster method. The investigator's aim with this study is to compare these two methods of testing triggered EMG values. The investigators plan on doing this by testing each screw with both the ball-tipped probe and the powered screwdriver, in order to see if there are any statistically significant differences between the readings.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02064101

Run by

University of Colorado, Denver

People needed

27

Starts

2014-02-01

Expected to finish

2015-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2016-10-25

Who can join

Age: 8 and older, up to 21. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• between the ages of 8-21 years
• diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)
• scheduled to receive a spinal fusion

You may not qualify if…

• diagnosis of any other type of scoliosis (infantile, juvenile, congenital, neuromuscular, etc)

Where it is running

• Children's Hospital Colorado — Aurora, Colorado, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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