Biomechanical testing of a novel four-rod technique for lumbo-pelvic reconstruction

Document Type

Article

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical testing protocol was used to study different lumbo-pelvic fixation techniques in a human cadaveric lumbar spine model. OBJECTIVE: To compare the in vitro biomechanics of a novel four-rod lumbo-pelvic reconstruction technique with and with out cross-links, to that of a conventional cross-linked two-rod technique. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Numerous lumbo-pelvic reconstruction methods based on the Galveston two-rod technique have been proposed for cases involving total sacrectomy. Recently a technique that proposes novel use of 4 supporting longitudinal rods across the lumbo-pelvic junction has been reported. No comparative in vitro biomechanical testing has been previously done to evaluate these different reconstruction methods. METHODS: Five spines were evaluated in flexion, extension, left-right lateral bending and left-right axial rotation in a human total sacrectomy model. The model was comprised of cadaveric lumbar spines (L1-L5) with custom fabricated polyethylene blocks used to simulate pelvic fixation. Three conditions were evaluated: Linked Four-Rod, Linked Two-Rod, and Four-Rod (no cross-links). Flexibility and motion data were compared using a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance and SNK tests. RESULTS: The Linked Four-Rod and Four-Rod conditions significantly decreased flexibility and reduced L5-Pelvic motion over the Linked Two-Rod construct in flexion and extension. The Linked Four-Rod condition significantly decreased flexibility in left-right axial rotation compared with the Four-Rod and Linked Two-Rod conditions. No significant differences occurred in relative lateral movement between left and right pelvic polyethylene blocks. CONCLUSION: The four-rod technique improved fixation stability over the conventional linked two-rod technique in flexion and extension, and when cross-linked, in left-right axial rotation. The four-rod technique also significantly reduced L5-Pelvic junction movement in flexionand extension, which may have implications for bony fusion. The use of cross-links is recommended.

Medical Subject Headings

Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Screws; Cadaver; Humans; Joint Instability (physiopathology); Lumbar Vertebrae (physiopathology, surgery); Materials Testing; Orthopedic Fixation Devices; Osteotomy; Pelvic Bones (physiopathology, surgery); Range of Motion, Articular; Rotation; Sacrum (physiopathology, surgery); Spinal Fusion (instrumentation, methods)

Publication Date

6-1-2008

Publication Title

Spine

E-ISSN

1528-1159

Volume

33

Issue

13

First Page

E400

Last Page

6

PubMed ID

18520925

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817615c5

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