During routine posterior lumbar fusion l4-5 a final lockdown of the set screws for the inserted 4 pedicle screws is required using a torque wrench screw driver.The first 3 screws locked down without difficulties, in the final one the screwdriver broke off in the set screw.Efforts at either removing the broken screw driver tip from the set screw or to remove the while set screw were unsuccessful, requiring us to cut the rod, removing the screw assembly and exchanging the affected screw and then implanting a new rod.The pt was not harmed, but the surgery took about 60 minutes longer than expected.The defective screw driver and screw assembly was sent to the pathology department for identification and evaluation.Diagnosis or reason for use: l4-5 spondylolisthesis.
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