Removal of Broken Pedicle Screws

Three methods have been described in the literature.*
Method 1. A small drill bit is rotated by touching the broken screw. The directions of rotation of the bit and screw fragment are reverse.
Method  2. A screw extractor (with reverse threads) is placed in the central pilot hole, then used to back out the fragment.
Method  3. A flathead screwdriver inserted in the slot (created with a cutting burr) on the top surface of the screw fragment.