Preoperative tomographic needle marking: A novel level localization method to avoid wrong-level spine surgery in upper thoracic lesions

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to reduce the incidence of wrong-level surgery in upper thoracic spinal surgery. Methods: The data of 26 patients whose level was determined by the preoperative fluoroscopy method and 21 patients whose level was determined by the preoperative computed tomography method were analyzed and compared statistically. Results: A statistically significant difference was identified in the rate of wrong-level surgery between the groups. The rate of additional laminectomy due to wrong-level surgery in the preoperative fluoroscopy group was statistically significantly higher than in the preoperative computed tomography group (P = .026). In addition, the average time from positioning to incision in the preoperative fluoroscopy group was found to be statistically significantly higher than in the preoperative computed tomography group (P < .001). Conclusion: The preoperative computed tomography method provides a shorter surgical time and reduces the incidence of wrong-level surgery compared to the preoperative fluoroscopy method.