CytroFIX Cannulated Screws are titanium fixation screws engineered by INVAMED to facilitate precise, guidewire-assisted placement across a range of orthopedic trauma procedures. This overview summarizes the screw system's design, material, and general application concept for clinicians reviewing cannulated fixation options.
What Are Cannulated Screws?
A cannulated screw features a hollow central channel running the full length of the screw, allowing it to be advanced over a pre-placed guidewire. This design enables percutaneous or limited open surgical technique, in which the surgeon first places a thin guidewire under fluoroscopic guidance to confirm optimal trajectory, then advances the cannulated screw along that wire. This sequencing is intended to simplify screw placement accuracy while helping maintain fracture reduction during insertion.
CytroFIX cannulated screws are manufactured from high-purity titanium, offering biocompatibility, radiographic clarity, and mechanical performance consistent with INVAMED's broader orthopedic trauma implant line.
What Are the Key Design Features?
The CytroFIX cannulated screw system includes several design characteristics relevant to surgical technique:
- Central cannulation — permits guidewire-assisted, minimally invasive insertion technique
- Multiple thread and tip configurations — including self-tapping and self-drilling variants, allowing selection based on bone quality and surgical approach
- Variable thread patterns — partially threaded designs can generate interfragmentary compression across a fracture line, while fully threaded designs provide fixation without inducing additional compression
- Titanium construction — consistent with the biocompatibility and imaging-compatibility priorities across the CytroFIX system
What Procedures Commonly Use Cannulated Screws?
Cannulated screws are frequently used for fracture patterns amenable to percutaneous or minimally invasive fixation, including select femoral neck fractures, scaphoid fractures, ankle fractures, and as a supplementary fixation method alongside plates or nails in certain complex fracture patterns. Their guidewire-assisted placement technique is particularly valued in anatomical regions where precise trajectory is critical and open surgical exposure is limited.
How Does Guidewire Technique Improve Accuracy?
By confirming trajectory with a thin guidewire and fluoroscopic imaging before committing to full screw placement, surgeons can adjust wire position with minimal tissue disruption if the initial trajectory is suboptimal. Once satisfactory positioning is confirmed, the cannulated screw is advanced over the wire, and the wire is subsequently removed. This staged technique is designed to reduce the number of passes required through bone and soft tissue compared to non-cannulated screw placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What material are CytroFIX cannulated screws made from?
The screws are manufactured from high-purity titanium, consistent with the material strategy used across INVAMED's CytroFIX orthopedic trauma implant line.
What is the benefit of a cannulated (hollow) screw design?
The hollow central channel allows the screw to be placed over a pre-positioned guidewire, supporting more precise, minimally invasive insertion technique and helping maintain fracture reduction during screw placement.
Are cannulated screws used alone or with other hardware?
Cannulated screws can be used as a standalone fixation method for certain fracture patterns or as a supplementary fixation technique alongside plates or intramedullary nails, depending on the specific fracture and surgical plan determined by the treating surgeon.
Related INVAMED Resources
- Orthopedic & Trauma Solutions — full fracture fixation portfolio
- CytroFIX Distal Radius Volar Plate — related fixation system often paired with screw fixation
- Contact INVAMED — request the IFU and technical specifications
Medical Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Product indications, availability, and regulatory status vary by country. Always refer to the official Instructions for Use (IFU) and consult a licensed physician for guidance specific to your situation. INVAMED devices are intended for use by trained healthcare professionals.