| abstract |
A method for percutaneous fixation of a pair of vertebrae of a patient, which comprises posterolaterally entering the back of a patient percutaneously with a plurality of offset bone bolts, screwing each bone bolt into the medullary canal of the pedicles of adjacent thoracic and/or lumbar vertebrae or the pedicles of the L5 and S1 vertebrae, to a position where the proximal end thereof lies adjacent the fascia of the patient; inserting bone bolt linkages under the skin of the back of the patient and detachably securing the linkage means to the proximal ends of the bolts on the same side of the spinous processes of the vertebrae to restrict relative movement between the vertebrae. A kit is provided for percutaneous fixation of vertebrae of a patient, comprising a plurality of offset bone bolts of different sizes, yet of a size to enable the distal end of each bolt to be screwed into the medullary canal of a pedicle of a vertebra with the proximal end thereof lying adjacent the fascia of a patient. |