Biomechanics of a lumbar interspinous anchor with transforaminal lumbar interbody fixation

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Object: To study the stability offered by a clamping lumbar interspinous anchor (ISA) for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Methods: Seven human cadaveric lumbosacral specimens were tested: 1) intact; 2) after placing ISA; 3) after TLIF with ISA; 4) with TLIF, ISA, and unilateral pedicle screws-rod; 5) with TLIF and unilateral pedicle screws-rod (ISA removed); and 6) with TLIF and bilateral pedicle screws-rods. Pure moments (7.5 Nm maximum) were applied in each plane to induce flexionextension, axial rotation, and lateral bending while recording angular motion optoelectronically. Compression (400 N) was applied while upright foraminal height was measured. Results: All instrumentation reduced angular range of motion (ROM) significantly from normal. The loading modes in which the ISA limited ROM most effectively were flexion and extension, where the ROM allowed was equivalent to that of pedicle screws-rods (P > .08). The ISA was least effective in reducing lateral bending, with this mode reduced to 81% of normal. TLIF with unilateral pedicle screws-rod was the least stable configuration. Addition of the ISA to this construct significantly improved stability during flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation (P < .008). Constructs that included the ISA increased the foraminal height an average of 0.7 mm more than the other constructs (P < .05). Conclusions: In cadaveric testing, the ISA limits flexion and extension equivalently to pedicle screws-rods. It also increases foraminal height. When used with TLIF, a construct of ISA or ISA plus unilateral pedicle screws-rod may offer an alternative to bilateral pedicle screws-rods for supplemental posterior fixation. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Interspinous anchor, Pedicle screw, Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Publication Title

World Neurosurgery

ISSN

18788750

Volume

73

Issue

5

First Page

572

Last Page

577

PubMed ID

20920945

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.wneu.2010.02.025

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS