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2.
CORRECT HANDLING OF THE IMPLANT IS
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
A.
Composite Implants: Polymer/carbon-fiber implants
are designed to support physiologic loads. Excessive
torque, when applied to long-handle insertion tools,
can cause splitting or fracture of the carbon-fiber
implants. When a carbon-fiber implant is impacted or
hammered into place, the broad sur face of the
insertion tool should be carefully seated fully against
the carbon-fiber implant. Impaction forces applied
directly to a small surface of the implant could cause
fracture of the implant. Split or fractured implants
should be removed and replaced.
B.
Metal Implants: Contouring of metal implants should
only be done with proper equipment. The operating
surgeon should avoid notching, scratching or reverse
bending of the implants when contour ing. Alterations
will produce defects in surface finish and internal
stresses which may become the focal point for
eventual breakage of the implant. Bending of screws
will significantly decrease the fatigue life and may
cause failure.
3.
REMOVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL FIXATION AFTER
HEALING. If the supplemental fixation is not removed
following the completion of its intended use, any of the
following complications may occur: (1) Corrosion, with
localized tissue reaction or pain; (2) Migration of implant
position resulting in injury; (3) Risk of additional injury
from postoperative trauma; (4) Bending, loosening, and/
or breakage, which could make removal impractical or
difficult; (5) Pain, discomfort, or abnormal sensations due
to the presence of the device; (6) Possible increased risk
of infection; and (7) Bone loss due to stress shielding.
The surgeon should carefully weigh the risks versus
benefits when deciding whether to remove the implant.
Implant removal should be followed by adequate
postoperative management to avoid refracture. If, for
example, the patient is older and has a low activity level,
the surgeon may choose not to remove the implant thus
eliminating the risks involved with a second surgery.
4.
ADEQUATELY INSTRUCT THE PATIENT. Postopera tive
care and the patient’s ability and willingness to follow
instructions are among the most important aspects of
successful bone healing. The patient must be made
aware of the limitations of the implants. The patient
should be encouraged to ambulate to tolerance as soon
as possible after surgery, and instructed to limit and
restrict lifting and twisting motions and any type of sports
participation until the bone is healed. The patient should
under stand that implants are not as strong as normal
healthy bone and could loosen, bend and/or break if
excessive demands are placed on it, especially in the
absence of complete bone healing. Implants displaced or
damaged by improper activities may experience migration
to the devices and damage to nerves or blood vessels.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS WITH THE VBR
SPINAL SYSTEM IMPLANTS AND/OR METALLIC
INTERNAL FIXATION DEVICES
This list may not include all complications caused by the
surgical procedure itself.
1. Bending or fracture of implant. Loosening of the implant.
2. Implant material sensitivity, or allergic reaction to a
foreign body.
3. Infection, early or late.
4. Decrease in bone density due to stress shielding.
5. Pain, discomfort, or abnormal sensations due to the
presence of the device.
6. Nerve damage due to surgical trauma or presence of
the device. Neurological difficulties including bowel
and/or bladder dysfunction, impotence, retrograde
ejaculation, radicular pain, tethering of nerves in scar
tissue, muscle weakness, and paraesthesia.
7. Vascular damage could result in catastrophic or fatal
bleeding. Malpositioned implants adjacent to large
arteries or veins could cause erosion of these vessels and
catastrophic bleeding in the later postoperative period.
8. Dural tears experienced during surgery could result in
need for further surgery for dural repair, a chronic CSF
leak or fistula, and possible meningitis.
9. Bursitis.
10. Paralysis.
11. Death.
12. Spinal cord impingement or damage.
13. Fracture of bony structures.
14. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
15. There is an additional risk if there were to be long term in
vivo degradation of the polymer/carbon-fiber compo site
resulting in possible local or systemic adverse reactions
from any potential degradation products.
16. If a pseudarthrodesis occurs coupled with the VBR
Spinal Systems, a mechanical grinding action could
possibly occur which might generate wear debris.
Most types of wear debris have shown the potential of
initiating local osteolysis in articulating joints.
17. Degenerative changes or instability in segments
adjacent to fused vertebral levels.
18. Subsidence.