Lumbar Corpectomy And Fusion, Posterior View

Description

Lumbar posterior instrumentation spans the corpectomy level with bilateral pedicle screws anchored in the vertebrae above and below the resected vertebral body, connected by longitudinal rods that run craniocaudally along the posterolateral gutters. From this posterior perspective, the hardware aligns lateral to the spinous processes and laminae, with screw heads seated at the junction of the pedicles and posterior elements and the construct centered over the midline of the lumbar spine. A structural implant supporting the anterior column after corpectomy is implied by the fusion construct, while the posterior fixation provides the tension band that maintains alignment across the defect. Hardware dominates the field. Bony landmarks remain readable. Corpectomy and fusion in the lumbar region is performed for burst fracture with vertebral body comminution, tumor, osteomyelitis, or revision for failed interbody support, and surgeons rely on a stable posterior construct to control kyphosis, protect neural elements, and permit early mobilization while the graft or cage incorporates. Pedicle screw placement carries recognizable risks, including medial breach with potential dural or nerve root injury and lateral breach toward the psoas and segmental vessels, so accurate appreciation of screw trajectory relative to the pedicles and posterior cortex matters in operative planning and in teaching. The fixed posterior viewpoint clarifies left to right symmetry, screw head orientation, and rod contouring without distracting soft tissue detail. Use this illustration for spine surgery atlases, operative technique manuals, and case reports describing lumbar corpectomy with posterior fixation, including captions that discuss levels instrumented and construct rationale. It also suits resident teaching on posterior lumbar anatomy, pedicle screw landmarks, and common postoperative imaging correlations on AP and lateral radiographs or CT where this hardware configuration is encountered. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.