FDA PRODUCT CODE · CLASS II
QSD — Posterior Cervical Screw Placement Guide
A posterior cervical screw placement guide is intended to be used as a surgical instrument to assist in the intra-operative placement of posterior cervical screws that are used to anchor posterior cervical screw systems on the posterior elements of the spine. The device utilizes anatomic landmarks that are identifiable on pre-operative imaging scans.
What these counts are not
Clearance and recall counts are SPEQ’s aggregation of FDA’s own published records for the code. A recall count is a measure of history, not of a device’s safety, neither number is an FDA rating, and SPEQ is not affiliated with the FDA.
What this classification requires
Every statement below is FDA’s own classification record for this product code, quoted from the device classification field reference. The SPEQ reading beneath each one is SPEQ’s interpretation of what it means for the work, and is not FDA text.
510(K)
SPEQ READINGA premarket notification under 21 CFR Part 807 Subpart E is the route for this code. The submission argues substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate, so the engineering question is which predicate the design can actually be compared against, and the evidence question is what testing supports that comparison.
Class II (moderate to high risk): general controls and special controls
SPEQ READINGSpecial controls are the distinguishing feature: performance standards, guidance documents, patient registries or postmarket surveillance named for the device type. Find the special controls before designing the test plan — they usually name the tests.
Device is not eligible for The Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting Program
SPEQ READINGIndividual malfunction reporting under 21 CFR Part 803 applies. The complaint-handling system has to produce a decision per event, not per period.
Not exempt due to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)/Quality System
SPEQ READINGThe full Quality Management System Regulation (21 CFR 820, incorporating ISO 13485:2016) applies, and is what an FDA inspection of this device will be conducted against.
Device is not implantable
SPEQ READINGNo implant-specific expectations attach from the classification itself.
Device is not used for life sustaining purposes
SPEQ READINGNo life-sustaining designation attaches to this code.
Device is not a candidate for a third party review program
SPEQ READINGFDA reviews any premarket notification for this code directly.
Other product codes under 21 CFR 888.3075
One regulation usually governs several product codes. These share this code’s regulation, and therefore its classification basis.
21 CFR 888.3075 — Posterior cervical screw system
The classification regulation for this product code, as published by the Office of the Federal Register. This is the regulation text itself — no SPEQ interpretation appears in it.
(a) Identification. Posterior cervical screw systems are comprised of multiple, interconnecting components, made from a variety of materials that allow an implant system to be built from the occiput to the upper thoracic spine to fit the patient's anatomical and physiological requirements, as determined by preoperative cross-sectional imaging. Such a spinal assembly consists of a combination of bone anchors via screws ( i.e., occipital screws, cervical lateral mass screws, cervical pedicle screws, C2 pars screws, C2 translaminar screws, C2 transarticular screws), longitudinal members ( e.g., plates, rods, including dual diameter rods, plate/rod combinations), transverse or cross connectors, interconnection mechanisms ( e.g., rod-to-rod connectors, offset connectors), and closure mechanisms ( e.g., set screws, nuts). Posterior cervical screw systems are rigidly fixed devices that do not contain dynamic features, including but not limited to: non-uniform longitudinal elements or features that allow more motion or flexibility compared to rigid systems. Posterior cervical screw systems are intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in patients as an adjunct to fusion for acute and chronic instabilities of the cervical spine and/or craniocervical junction and/or cervicothoracic junction such as: (1) Traumatic spinal fractures and/or traumatic dislocations; (2) deformities; (3) instabilities; (4) failed previous fusions ( e.g., pseudarthrosis); (5) tumors; (6) inflammatory disorders; (7) spinal degeneration, including neck and/or arm pain of discogenic origin as confirmed by imaging studies (radiographs, CT, MRI); (8) degeneration of the facets with instability; and (9) reconstruction following decompression to treat radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. These systems are also intended to restore the integrity of the spinal column even in the absence of fusion for a limited time period in patients with advanced stage tumors involving the cervical spine in whom life expectancy is of insufficient duration to permit achievement of fusion.
(b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The special controls for posterior cervical screw systems are: (1) The design characteristics of the device, including engineering schematics, must ensure that the geometry and material composition are consistent with the intended use.
(2) Nonclinical performance testing must demonstrate the mechanical function and durability of the implant.
(3) Device components must be demonstrated to be biocompatible.
(4) Validation testing must demonstrate the cleanliness and sterility of, or the ability to clean and sterilize, the device components and device-specific instruments.
(5) Labeling must include the following: (i) A clear description of the technological features of the device including identification of device materials and the principles of device operation; (ii) Intended use and indications for use including levels of fixation; (iii) Device specific warnings, precautions, and contraindications that include the following statements: (A) “Precaution: Preoperative planning prior to implantation of posterior cervical screw systems should include review of cross-sectional imaging studies ( e.g., CT and/or MRI) to evaluate the patient's cervical anatomy including the transverse foramen, neurologic structures, and the course of the vertebral arteries. If any findings would compromise the placement of these screws, other surgical methods should be considered. In addition, use of intraoperative imaging should be considered to guide and/or verify device placement, as necessary.” (B) “Precaution: Use of posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation at the C3 through C6 spinal levels requires careful consideration and planning beyond that required for lateral mass screws placed at these spinal levels, given the proximity of the vertebral arteries and neurologic structures in relation to the cervical pedicles at these levels.” (iv) Identification of magnetic resonance (MR) compatibility status; (v) Cleaning and sterilization instructions for devices and instruments that are provided non-sterile to the end user, and; (vi) Detailed instructions of each surgical step, including device removal. [84 FR 12092, Apr. 1, 2019]
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21. 21 CFR is a work of the United States Government and is in the public domain. SPEQ read this section on October 22, 2026. CFR is amended continuously, so verify against the source before acting on it: read 21 CFR 888.3075 on eCFR →
Source: FDA device classification, 510(k)/PMA, and recall datasets. Recall entries count distinct FDA recall numbers, so one recall event affecting several products appears as several entries. Browse every product code SPEQ tracks →