The screw was returned with the tulip disengaged from the screw shank.The tulip locking ring was deformed.The shank bulb had a deep and angled rod indentation, indicative of tulip angulation and overtightening.There is also a sharp angulation midway through the shank bulb indentation, indicating that rod tightening was performed at least twice at tulip head/rod over angulation and tulip head/rod severe over angulations.It was stated bone fusion was not achieved.Device and complaint history records were reviewed for this lot, and no relevant manufacturing issues or similar complaints were identified.It is unknown what torque the blockers were tightened to, the surgical technique states they must be tightened to 12nm and anti torque must be used.It is unknown if anti torque was used.Based on the deformation found on the returned screw, the most likely cause is multi factorial.Possible causes for tulip disengagement include overtightening of the blocker, fractured rod causing an unstable construct, excessive rod angulation and/or excessive post op activity.
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