Professional
Technical
IVT
facet violation
Inadvertent penetration or damage to facet joint capsule during spinal surgery.
Full Definition
Facet violation occurs when surgical instruments or implants unintentionally breach or damage the facet joint capsule, articular cartilage, or surrounding structures during spine procedures. This complication can lead to accelerated facet joint degeneration, instability, or persistent pain. Common causes include misplaced pedicle screws, excessive bone removal during decompression, or inadvertent capsular disruption. Prevention requires careful surgical technique and thorough understanding of anatomical landmarks to preserve uninvolved motion segments.
Usage
Usage note: Document immediate corrective actions taken when violation occurs.
In Context
- "Intraoperative fluoroscopy revealed potential facet violation requiring screw repositioning." — Surgical complication note
- "The patient developed adjacent segment disease partly attributed to facet violation during the index surgery." — Long-term follow-up assessment
Also known as
facet joint disruption
capsular breach
Don't confuse with
facetectomy
facet arthropathy