Biomechanical analysis of derotation of the thoracic spine using pedicle screws.

Study Design: Biomechanical analysis of derotational load-to-failure of pedicle screw (PS) instrumentation in cadaveric thoracic spinal segments.

Objective: To investigate the derotational torque that can be applied to the thoracic spine through different linked constructs and evaluate the modes of failure.

Summary Of Background Data: Thoracic derotation with PSs has been shown to provide better 3 plane correction than other methods but the effects of linked PS constructs has not been studied.