A rod is a metal cylinder implant used in spinal surgery to stabilize a vertebral segment. In a spinal fusion surgery, a rod is used to connect screws inserted into adjacent vertebral bodies in order to prevent motion and allow fusion to occur across the disc space. After fusion is achieved, the rod and screws may be safely removed in a subsequent back surgery. A major risk associated with rods is the possibility of breakage resulting in damage and inflammation to surrounding tissue in back. Surgical rods are used extensively in minimally invasive spine fusion systems and Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentation.
