Use of Awl-Tipped Pedicle Screws Reduces Surgical Time

BACKGROUND: A recent advance in spine surgery instrumentation is the awl-tipped screw, which allows for a reduction in the number of steps during a procedure. This innovation has the potential to decrease surgical time and affect overall efficiency. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the use of awl-tipped pedicle screws reduces surgical time and blood loss compared with the use of conventional pedicle screws. METHODS: Using a retrospective records review, 410 patients who underwent open posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery were analyzed. We compared 205 cases that used awl-tipped screws to 205 matched controls that used conventional pedicle screws that required tapping. The awl-tipped screw and control groups were matched for instrumented spine levels fused and were equivalent regarding other patient characteristics. RESULTS: < 0.001). The amount of blood loss did not differ significantly between the 2 groups but trended in the expected direction. CONCLUSION: Clinicians who use pedicle screws in their practice should consider utilizing awl-tipped screws rather than traditional ones, as the reduced surgical time they can provide may translate into benefits for patients.