Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32677565›Full record

ArticleGlobal spine journal2020

Screw Loosening in Posterior Spine Fusion: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Laura Marie-Hardy, Hugues Pascal-Moussellard, Anne Barnaba, Raphael Bonaccorsi, Caroline Scemama

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Global spine journal, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 64 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
64citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

64 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  4. Multimodal model predicts screw loosening at user-specified postoperative time points after single-level lumbar interbody fusion.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
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  8. A comprehensive review of biomechanical factors influencing pedicle screw fixation strength and the critical role of artificial intelligence.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
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4 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Laura Marie-HardyPitié-Salpétrière Teaching Hospital, Paris, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5142-2658
Hugues Pascal-MoussellardPitié-Salpétrière Teaching Hospital, Paris, France.
Anne BarnabaPitié-Salpétrière Teaching Hospital, Paris, France.
Raphael BonaccorsiPitié-Salpétrière Teaching Hospital, Paris, France.
Caroline ScemamaPitié-Salpétrière Teaching Hospital, Paris, France.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

STUDY

designRetrospective cohort study.

objectiveScrew loosening in spinal fusion is poorly defined. Accordingly, its prevalence rates range from 1% to 60%, and its risk factors remain undefined. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of screw loosening, according to precise definitions, and to identify factors associated with it.

methodsWe retrospectively reviewed records for 166 patients who underwent a posterior spinal fusion in our institution between 2011 and 2016. We recorded demographic data, osteoporosis, pelvic balance, surgery-related information, and postoperative radiographic data at a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used. Significance was defined by

resultsWhen loosening was defined by partial pull-out, its prevalence was 9.6% (95% CI 5.6-15); thoracic localization, the use of CrCo (chromium-cobalt) rods, osteoporosis, PI/LL (pelvic incidence/lumbar lordosis) mismatch (preoperative), and frontal imbalance (preoperative) were significant risk factors. When loosening was defined by osteolysis (radiolucent rim) >1 mm around at least 1 screw, its prevalence was 40.4% (95% CI 33-48) and age, scoliosis as indication for fusion, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) 2 or 3, the use of CrCo rods, more than 5 levels fused, no circumferential arthrodesis, postoperative bracing, and sacrum or ilium as the inferior level of instrumentation were also significant risk factors.

conclusionsA clear definition of screw loosening seems essential for a useful analysis of the literature. Osteoporosis, sagittal imbalance, and rigid material appear to be risk factors, regardless of the definition.

Indexed as

fusionlooseningosteoporosispedicle screwspine surgery

Identifiers

PMID32677565
PMCPMC7359691

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.