徒手与在计算机导航下中上胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入技术的前瞻性对比研究

目的探讨徒手与在计算机导航下行中上胸椎骨折脱位椎弓根螺钉内固定的安全性和可行性。方法自2002年11月～2006年11月,笔者应用椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗中上胸椎骨折脱位32例,随机分为两组,一组徒手椎弓根螺钉内固定17例,另一组在三维成像C型臂(Iso-3D)导航下椎弓根螺钉内固定15例,两组行前瞻性对比研究。结果徒手行椎弓根螺钉内固定置入椎弓根螺钉122枚,穿破椎弓根内壁13枚;在计算机导航下行椎弓根螺钉内固定置入椎弓根螺钉110枚,穿破椎弓根内壁3枚。对穿破椎弓根内壁方面行t检验,两组有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论①在C型臂X线机监视下,由有经验的脊柱外科医师徒手行胸椎弓螺钉内固定术是安全的、可行的。②在上胸椎行椎弓根螺钉内固定以导航技术辅助为宜。③导航技术只是一种利于置入物精确控制的辅助手段,不能盲目依赖,尚需结合术者的经验。     

个体化导航模板在胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入中的初步临床应用

目的:通过临床应用评价个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性。方法:2008年7月～2009年9月,对11例需要行胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入手术的患者(青少年特发性脊柱侧凸7例,先天性脊柱侧凸2例,胸椎结核后凸畸形1例,多发性胸椎骨折1例)术前根据CT三维重建图像利用计算机辅助设计及快速成型技术设计制作46个胸椎个体化导航模板,术中应用个体化导航模板辅助在T2～T12置入椎弓根螺钉92枚,术后CT扫描评价螺钉位置,记录有无与螺钉置入相关的并发症。结果:通过个体化导航模板辅助置入的92枚胸椎椎弓根螺钉中,83枚完全在椎弓根内,9枚穿破椎弓根壁(其中椎弓根内侧壁穿破2枚、椎弓根外侧壁穿破7枚),其中5枚螺钉因椎弓根宽度小于4mm(3.0～3.8mm)而采用椎弓根旁固定方法(椎弓根螺钉轻度穿破椎弓根外侧壁经胸肋关节内侧进入椎体),椎弓根壁非故意穿破率为4.3%,置钉准确率为95.7%,所有穿破椎弓根壁的螺钉的穿出距离均小于2mm,螺钉位置可接受率为100%。无与螺钉置入有关的神经、血管、内脏损伤等并发症的发生。结论:个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的置钉准确率高,安全、可行。     

对徒手置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉的安全性评价

目的：评价徒手置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉的安全性并探讨其置钉方法.方法：372例患者采用徒手方法置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉,记录置入操作中和术后并发症,其中37例患者术后行CT断层扫描检查判断螺钉的位置,记录所有穿透骨皮质螺钉的数目和距离.结果：共徒手置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉2261枚,平均每例患者置入螺钉6.08枚,术中6例次置钉过程中出现脑脊液从钉道中流出,术中和术后未出现神经、血管和内脏损伤等并发症.37例患者术后行CT扫描判断螺钉位置,405枚螺钉中124枚（30.62%）穿透骨皮质,1枚（0.02%）穿透椎弓根内侧壁超过4mm.结论：徒手置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉穿透骨皮质的发生率较高,应该根据每个椎体旋转、倾斜等差异个体化确定置钉位置和方向,操作仔细认真,保证准确、安全、可靠地置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉.     

个性化导航模板辅助儿童颈椎椎弓根螺钉置入与徒手置入准确性的对比研究

目的 :探讨个性化导航模板辅助儿童颈椎椎弓根螺钉置入的可行性及准确性,并与徒手置钉进行对比。方法:选取儿童尸体4具,男女各2具,年龄6~9岁。随机分为2组,均行颈椎椎弓根螺钉置入术。徒手置钉组(A组)行徒手置钉;个性化导航模板辅助下置钉组(B组)依据颈椎CT扫描资料,利用计算机辅助及快速成型技术设计并制作出相应颈椎椎弓根螺钉置入个性化导航模板,行该模板辅助下置钉。置钉后行颈椎CT扫描评价两种置钉方法的置钉成功率及优级率并行统计分析。结果:A组共置入28枚螺钉,寰椎置入4枚螺钉,其中良级3枚、差级1枚;枢椎置入4枚螺钉,其中优级2枚、良级2枚;下颈椎(C3~C7)置入20枚螺钉,其中优级9枚、良级5枚、差级6枚。B组共置入28枚螺钉,寰椎置入4枚螺钉,其中良级2枚、差级2枚;枢椎置入4枚螺钉,其中优级3枚、良级1枚;下颈椎置入20枚螺钉,其中优级16枚、良级3枚、差级1枚。两组上颈椎的置钉成功率及优级率因样本数太少未进行统计学比较;两组下颈椎置钉的成功率及优级率均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论 :个性化导航模板辅助儿童下颈椎椎弓根螺钉置入术具有较好的置钉成功率,该方法操作简单、易于掌握,充分体现了儿童置钉个性化原则。     

漏斗技术结合探针技术置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉在脊椎畸形矫形术中的应用

目的 探讨应用漏斗技术结合探针技术置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉在脊椎畸形矫形术中的实用性和安全性。方法 12例脊椎畸形患者接受了后路矫形固定术,在手术矫形过程中,胸椎椎弓根螺钉的置入均采用“漏斗技术结合探针技术”,记录术中和术后并发症;术后常规复查X线片和CT,记录穿出骨皮质螺钉数目及距离。结果 采用“漏斗技术结合探针技术”共置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉129枚,术后复查CT见129枚螺钉中2枚穿透椎弓根内侧壁,3枚螺钉穿破外侧壁;1枚螺钉穿透椎体前壁。Heary分级,其置钉准确性达96.12%。结论 在脊椎畸形矫形术中,应用“漏斗技术结合探针技术”置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉的方法是实用的、安全的。     

漏斗技术在胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入中的临床应用

目的:探讨采用"漏斗技术"置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉的准确性和安全性。方法:回顾性分析了2005年8月至2008年3月至少有1枚螺钉置于T1-T10之间的39例患者的临床资料。其中,男27例,女14例,年龄17～56岁,平均38.5岁;1例失访,1例在随访前因非相关性原因死亡。根据术后薄层CT扫描评估置钉的安全性和准确性以及各种并发症。结果:39例均获随访,时间18～30个月,平均23.2个月,未见血管、神经和内脏损伤等并发症。共置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉208枚,置钉准确性T1-T4低于T5-T8(P=0.80),T5-T8低于T9-T10(P=0.07),T1-T4低于T9-T10(P=0.06)。27枚螺钉(13.0%)发生错置,其中,14枚(6.7%)穿破椎弓根外侧皮质,7枚(3.4%)穿破内侧皮质,5枚(2.4%)穿破椎弓根上壁,1枚(0.5%)穿出椎体侧方,未见椎弓根下壁和前壁穿破,4枚螺钉(1.9%)为危险性穿破。结论:漏斗技术是一种简单、安全、准确和经济的椎弓根螺钉置入方法,通过该技术使年轻医师迅速安全、准确置入胸椎弓根螺钉成为可能。     

X线分步监测胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉植入的实验研究

[目的]探讨X线分步监测胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉准确置入的可行性。[方法]选8具T9～L5脊柱标本，随机分A、B两组，每组4具。A组按X线分步监测方法置入椎弓根螺钉。CT扫描测量椎弓根一半长、全长及螺钉通道长度和椎弓根e角及f角。当导针进至深度为椎弓根一半时，标准正位片导针远端到达椎弓根投影中线为符合标准；当导针进至深度为椎弓根全长时，腰椎到达椎弓根投影3／4处为符合标准，而胸椎到达椎弓根投影的1／2与3／4的中线处为符合标准；导针进入椎体，调整X线机臂，侧位片观察导针深度及f角。按照导针轨道植入椎弓根螺钉。B组为对照组，按传统X线监测方法置入椎弓根螺钉。通过观察两组螺钉的位置，评估A组方法的准确性。[结果]A组植入螺钉72枚：68枚位于椎弓根内，左右螺钉基本对称；4枚穿破椎弓根，穿破率为5．56％。B组亦为72枚：53枚位于椎弓根内；19枚穿破椎弓根，穿破率为26．38％。A组优于B组（P〈0．001）。[结论]X线分步监测胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉的置入，可克服传统X线平片的局限性及减少置钉过程中的人为因素干扰，在一定程度上可使两侧椎弓根螺钉对称植入，提高了螺钉置入的准确性。     

颈椎椎弓根螺钉徒手植入技术的临床研究

目的 评价颈椎椎弓根螺钉徒手植入技术（无须术中影像技术引导）的安全性和可靠性。方法应用Axis内固定系统（美国枢法模公司）对36例颈椎疾病患者进行颈后路经椎弓根内固定术,共植入螺钉144枚,方法如下：①术中清晰地显露颈椎侧块和突间关节,用直径3,0mm高速球形磨钻去除侧块外上象限处骨皮质,然后用2．0mm的自制手锥沿椎弓根事先确定的方向轻轻钻入,若遇阻力则需略改变方向,使其自然置入,深约2～2,5cm。确定无误后,则安置Axis钛板和置入长度合适的椎弓根螺钉。②安装完毕后,即用C型臂X线机作双斜位透视,无误后关闭切口。结果从G～G,共植入根弓根螺钉144枚,其中10枚（6．8％）钉初次置入后感觉松动,经校正后二次置入成功,11枚（3．5％）钉道钻孔后出血较多,但及时处理后出血停止并无不良结果。术后X线斜位片及CT片显示,16枚（11．1％）螺钉穿破椎弓根,其中10枚螺钉（6．9％）穿破椎弓根外侧皮质,4枚（2．8％）穿破椎弓根上侧皮质,2枚（1．3％）穿破椎弓根下侧皮质。随访未发现与螺钉置入穿破椎弓根皮质有关的神经血管损伤问题。结论本研究提示,在事先充分的对每个患者颈椎椎弓根X线及CT解剖结构了解的情况下,徒手置入椎弓根螺钉行颈椎后路内固定安全可行。     

快速成型个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入可行性研究

[目的]通过尸体标本实验的方法探讨个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性及可行性.[方法]对6具胸椎尸体标本进行CT扫描,根据CT扫描资料,利用逆向工程原理及快速成型技术设计制造出个体化导航模板,利用个体化导航模板在尸体标本上辅助置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉,所有螺钉的置入由同一位具有腰椎椎弓根螺钉置钉经验但无胸椎椎弓根螺钉置钉经验的骨科医师进行操作,随后采用大体解剖的方法肉眼观察置钉的准确性;并根据螺钉是否穿破椎弓根、穿出距离及穿破方向进行分级.[结果]共设计制作了72个个体化导航模板辅助置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉144枚,132枚(91.7%)螺钉完全在椎弓根内;12(8.3%)枚螺钉穿破椎弓根,其中2枚螺钉穿破椎弓根内侧壁(穿破距离分别为0.6、0.8 mm),10枚螺钉穿破椎弓根外侧壁(9枚螺钉穿出距离<2 mm,1枚螺钉穿出距离为2.5 mm);没有椎弓根上方、下方及椎体前方穿破的螺钉.所有穿破椎弓根壁的螺钉均在安全可接受的范围内.[结论]快速成型个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入准确率高,对术者无特别的经验要求,手术操作简单、安全,可避免术中放射性损伤,为胸椎椎弓根螺钉的置入提供了一种新的可行方法,尤其适用于初学者.     

颈椎椎弓根螺钉徒手植入技术临床研究

目的：评价颈椎椎弓根螺钉徒手植入技术(无须术中影像技术引导)的安全性和可靠性。方法：作者应用Axis内固定系统(美国枢法模公司)对36例颈椎疾病患者进行颈后路经椎弓根内固定术,共植入螺钉144枚。椎弓根螺钉植入要点为：①术前仔细观察颈椎的侧位和双斜位x线片,并予以CT扫描以评估螺钉进针点、进针方向以及螺钉的长度及直径：②术中清晰地显露颈椎侧块和突间关节,用直径3．0mm高速球形磨钻去除侧块外卜象限处骨皮质,然后用2.0mm的自制手锥沿椎弓根事先确定的方向轻轻钻入,若遇阻力则需略改变方向,使其自然置入,深约2．0cm～2．5cm。确定无误后,则安置Axis钛板和置入长度合适的椎弓根螺钉;③安装完毕后,即用C掣臂作双斜位透视,无误后关闭切口。结果：从C3到C7,共植入根弓根螺钉144枚,其中10枚(6．8％)钉初次置入后感觉松动,经校正后二次置入成功,11枚(3．5％)钉道钻孔后出血较多,但及时处理后出血停止并无不良结果。术后X线斜位片及CT片显示,16枚(11．1％)螺钉穿破椎弓根,其中10枚(6．9％)螺钉穿破椎弓根外侧皮质,4枚(2,8％)钉穿破椎弓根上侧皮质,2枚(1．3％)钉穿破椎弓根卜侧皮质。随访未发现与螺钉置入穿破椎弓根皮质仃关的神经血管损伤问题。结论：本研究提示,在事先充分的埘每个患者颈椎椎弓根X线及CT解剖结构了解的情况下,徒手置入椎弓根螺钉行颈椎后路内同定是安全查行。     

The accuracy of pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine using the "Funnel Technique": part 1. A cadaveric study

A cadaveric study using the "funnel technique" to probe thoracic pedicles was conducted. The results (location, level, and perforation rate) of three spine surgeons of varying experience were compared. The objectives were to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the funnel technique for the placement of thoracic pedicle screws and to describe the technique. Nine fresh cadavers (216 thoracic pedicles) were used for pedicle screw placement using the funnel technique. The study was conducted by three spine surgeons with a significantly different level of experience in thoracic pedicle screw placement (72 thoracic pedicles each). Critical and noncritical perforations were recorded. The perforation rate was 6% (13 of 216 pedicles). Of this, only 0.4% (1 of 216) was a critical perforation (a contact with T8 nerve root). The junior spine surgeon who had no previous experience with thoracic pedicle screw placement had a 12.5% (9 of 72) perforation rate, the surgeon very familiar with the technique had a 5.5% (4 of 72) perforation rate, and the senior author who originated this technique had a 1.4% (1 of 70) perforation rate. All perforations made by the junior spine surgeon occurred in his first 24 pedicles; none occurred in his last 48 pedicles. The reliability of the funnel technique in placement of thoracic pedicle screws was proven in our cadaveric study. It provided even an entry-level surgeon with a safe way to identify and place thoracic pedicle screws. The funnel technique is a simple, safe, and cost-effective alternative to any other currently recommended techniques for pedicle screw placement.     

数字化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置钉实验研究

目的探讨数字化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和可行性。方法将20具尸体胸椎标本随机分为两组,每组10具标本,由同一位具有一定腰椎椎弓根螺钉置钉经验但无胸椎椎弓根螺钉置钉经验的骨外科医师分别采用导航模板法和徒手法进行胸椎椎弓根螺钉的置入手术。术后CT扫描比较两种方法的置钉准确性。结果导航模板法和徒手法各置入240枚螺钉。对两种方法的置钉准确率及风险螺钉发生率进行比较,导航模板法的置钉准确率高于徒手法,风险螺钉发生率低于徒手法,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。徒手法学习曲线明显,导航模板法学习曲线不明显。结论数字化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入安全可行,手术操作简单,置钉准确率高,为胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入提供了一种新的方法。     

Safety of thoracic pedicle screw application using the funnel technique in Asians: a cadaveric evaluation

The objective of this cadaveric study is to determine the safety and outcome of thoracic pedicle screw placement in Asians using the funnel technique. Pedicle screws have superior biomechanical as well as clinical data when compared to other methods of instrumentation. However, misplacement in the thoracic spine can result in major neurological implications. There is great variability of the thoracic pedicle morphometry between the Western and the Asian population. The feasibility of thoracic pedicle screw insertion in Asians has not been fully elucidated yet. A pre-insertion radiograph was performed and surgeons were blinded to the morphometry of the thoracic pedicles. 240 pedicle screws were inserted in ten Asian cadavers from T1 to T12 using the funnel technique. 5.0 mm screws were used from T1 to T6 while 6.0 mm screws were used from T7 to T12. Perforations were detected by direct visualization via a wide laminectomy. The narrowest pedicles are found between T3 and T6. T5 pedicle width is smallest measuring 4.1 ± 1.3 mm. There were 24 (10.0%) Grade 1 perforations and only 1 (0.4%) Grade 2 perforation. Grade 2 or worse perforation is considered significant perforation which would threaten the neural structures. There were twice as many lateral and inferior perforations compared to medial perforations. 48.0% of the perforations occurred at T1, T2 and T3 pedicles. Pedicle fracture occurred in 10.4% of pedicles. Intra-operatively, the absence of funnel was found in 24.5% of pedicles. In conclusion, thoracic pedicle screws using 5.0 mm at T1–T6 and 6.0 mm at T7–T12 can be inserted safely in Asian cadavers using the funnel technique despite having smaller thoracic pedicle morphometry.     

非影像监视下行脊柱侧凸胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的临床应用

目的:探讨脊柱侧凸胸椎椎弓根螺钉非影像监视下徒手置入的方法及可行性。方法:57例脊柱侧凸患者行后路椎弓根螺钉系统矫形手术,徒手法置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉。术后常规拍摄脊柱全长X线片,随机选取10例患者行CT扫描观察,了解螺钉置入的准确性。结果:共置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉362枚。术后X线片观察到10枚螺钉偏外,4枚螺钉偏下,其中2枚螺钉引起轻微肋间神经痛,3周后完全缓解。CT观察47枚螺钉有2枚螺钉导致椎弓根内壁膨胀内移,没有相应神经症状。主弯Cobb角术前平均60.4°(32°～121°),术后平均18.3°(1°～70°),平均矫正率71.9%(38.1%～98.0%)。结论:徒手法置入脊柱侧凸胸椎椎弓根螺钉是可行的。     

Computer tomography assessment of pedicle screw placement in thoracic spine: comparison between free hand and a generic 3D-based navigation techniques

Introduction

Although pedicle screw fixation is a well-established technique for the lumbar spine, screw placement in the thoracic spine is more challenging because of the smaller pedicle size and more complex 3D anatomy. The intraoperative use of image guidance devices may allow surgeons a safer, more accurate method for placing thoracic pedicle screws while limiting radiation exposure. This generic 3D imaging technique is a new generation intraoperative CT imaging system designed without compromise to address the needs of a modern OR.

Aim

The aim of our study was to check the accuracy of this generic 3D navigated pedicle screw implants in comparison to free hand technique described by Roy-Camille at the thoracic spine using CT scans.

Material and methods

The material of this study was divided into two groups: free hand group (group I) (18 patients; 108 screws) and 3D group (27 patients; 100 screws). The patients were operated upon from January 2009 to March 2010. Screw implantation was performed during internal fixation for fractures, tumors, and spondylodiscitis of the thoracic spine as well as for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Results

The accuracy rate in our work was 89.8 % in the free hand group compared to 98 % in the generic 3D navigated group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 3D navigation-assisted pedicle screw placement is superior to free hand technique in the thoracic spine.     

导航辅助脊柱胸腰段椎弓根钉植入的临床应用

目的探讨临床运用计算机影像导航技术引导脊柱胸腰段椎弓根钉植入的准确性。方法2003年5月-2007年5月，29例患者接受116枚计算机影像导航技术引导脊柱胸腰段椎弓根钉植入手术治疗，T10-T1250枚胸椎弓根钉，L1-L3 66枚腰椎弓根钉。术中记录椎弓根钉植入所需时间及C-臂透视工作次数，椎弓根钉植入完成后，即行C-臂正侧位摄片并与导航路径进行比较测量。术后CT进行椎弓根层面扫描，根据椎弓根钉与椎弓根皮质问关系分为四级：A=在椎弓根内；B=突破皮质，〈2mm；C=突破皮质，2-4mm；C=突破皮质，〉4mm。结果术后CT椎弓根位置扫描显示：A级101枚（87．07％）；B级10枚（8．62％）；C级2枚（1．72％）；D级3枚（2．59％）。1枚椎弓根钉植入平均所需时间：2．73±0．64min（1．15～4．02min）。下胸椎9枚（7．75％）胸椎弓根钉突破皮质，上腰椎6枚（5．17％）腰椎弓根钉突破皮质，且临床观察未发现与椎弓根钉突破皮质相关的神经血管等并发症。植入的椎弓根钉C-臂正侧位摄片与导航路径吻合比较，进钉点均差2．6mm（最大3．1mm），角度均差3．3°（最大5．4°）。结论计算机影像导航辅助脊柱胸腰段椎弓根钉植入，提供二维、多平面实时显示，保证了脊柱胸腰段椎弓根钉植入的准确性及安全性，明显减少放射线的暴露强度。     

透视下分步引导上中胸椎椎弓根螺钉安全植入实验研究

目的：探索C形臂X线监测引导上中胸椎椎弓根螺钉植入的的方法,并评定其准确性与安全性。方法：①取6具正常成人T1-T8脊椎骨架标本,分解出单个椎体,导针沿椎弓根轴线进针,分别于进针点、针前端位于椎弓根中部、椎体后缘及椎体前缘皮质下,通过C形臂X线透视,记录、分析椎弓根轴线导针在进针点及不同进针深度时在正侧位透视图像上导针前端的位置,以及相关位置对应关系变化规律。②按上述椎弓根轴线导针C形臂X线透视监测对应位置变化规律,作为C形臂X线透视下分步引导上中胸椎椎弓根螺钉安全植入的方法。取6具T1-T8脊柱标本,C形臂X线机引导下分步植入椎弓根螺钉96枚,然后将脊椎标本作CT扫描,判定椎弓根螺钉位置。结果：根据CT扫描结果,优（椎弓根螺钉安全位于椎弓根内者）90枚,可（螺钉穿破椎弓根内或外侧骨皮质较少,突破在2mm以内者）6枚,差（螺钉穿破椎弓根内外骨皮质较多,突破在2mm以上）0枚。结论：C形臂X线透视下分步引导上中胸椎椎弓根螺钉植入,是一种能提高上中胸椎椎弓根螺钉植入的简单经济、确实可行的方法。     

Accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement in scoliosis using the ideal pedicle entry point during the freehand technique

Previously, we described the ideal pedicle entry point (IPEP) for the thoracic spine at the base of the superior facet at the junction of the lateral one third and medial two thirds with the freehand technique on cadavers. Here we measured the accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement (Chung et al. Int Orthop 2008) on post-operative computed tomography (CT) scans in 43 scoliosis patients who underwent operation with the freehand technique taking the same entry point. Of the 854 inserted screws, 268 (31.3%) were displaced; 88 (10.3%) and 180 (21.0%) screws were displaced medially and laterally, respectively. With regard to the safe zone, 795 screws were within the safe zone representing an accuracy rate of 93%; 448 and 406 thoracic screws inserted in adolescent idiopathic and neuromuscular scoliosis showed an accuracy of 89.9 and 94%, respectively (p = 0.6475). The accuracy rate of screws inserted in the upper, middle and lower thoracic pedicles were 94.2, 91.6 and 93.7%, respectively (p = 0.2411). The results indicate that IPEP should be considered by surgeons during thoracic pedicle screw instrumentation.     

A free‐hand technique for pedicle screw placement in the lower cervical spine

Objective: To describe a free‐hand method for pedicle screw placement in the lower cervical spine with no intraoperative imaging monitors, and to evaluate the safety of this technique. Methods: A study of the free‐hand technique of cervical pedicle screw placement was conducted by postoperative radiological review and follow‐up. Thirty‐six patients who had had cervical reconstruction with posterior plate utilizing pedicle screw fixation, and been followed for a minimum of 2 years, were studied. The position of the pedicle screw was evaluated by postoperative oblique radiographs and axial computed tomograms. Clinical outcomes were measured by Odem's criteria. Results: A total of 144 screws of diameter 3.5 or 4.0 mm were inserted into the cervical pedicles in 36 patients. Postoperative images showed that 16 (11.1%) of the screws had penetrated the pedicle walls. Among them, 10 (6.9%) screws had penetrated the lateral, 4 (2.8%) the superior and 2 (1.3%) the inferior walls. However, there were no neurological or vascular complications related to the malpositioned screws during a minimum of 2 years follow‐up. In addition, Odem's scores were applied postoperatively in all patients except one with complete neurological deficit. Conclusion: Based on 144 screw placements, cervical pedicle screw insertion utilizing a free‐hand technique without intraoperative imaging guidance seems to be safe and reliable. However, solid knowledge of the anatomy of the cervical pedicle and adjacent neurovascular bundles, and careful preoperative review of cervical images, are imperative for successful screw placement in the cervical spine.