Reconstruction of cervical spine curvature post laminectomy using three-dimensional finite element method

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Cervical kyphosis post laminectomy is a common iatrogenic,and progressive abnormality of the curvature of cervical spine,and can influence the function of cervical spine of children and adults.

To explore the effect of multiple levels of laminectomies on the curvature of cervical spine,and analyze the role of the elastic modulus of cervical intervertebral disc and ligaments on maintaining curvature of postlaminectomy cervical spine.DESIGN,TIME AND

Three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed in Changzheng Hospital,Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA between January 2003 and January 2004.MATERIALSThe highly resolution pictures of the cross-section of cervical spine(interval distance of layer 1 mm) were came from male cross-section of cervical spinal of American visible human project,which was freely downloaded from The Visible Human Project.

The highly resolution pictures of cervical spinal cross-section were used as data to reconstruct the three-dimensional multiple levels postlaminectomy cervical spine models including all structure of spine from cranial base to the first thoracic vertebrae except the vertebral lamina,spinous process,ligamentum flavum,interspinous and supraspinous ligament from the second to the seventh cervical spine.The finite element and elastic modulus of the structures of cervical spine were defined according to previous reports.With this model and Ansys6.1 finite element analysis software,the effect of laminectomy on the curvature of cervical spine and impact of the elastic modulus of intervertebral disc and ligament to the curvature of postlaminectoy cervical spine were analyzed.MAIN OUTCOME

The influence of the elastic modulus of cervical intervertebral disc and ligament(anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments) on the curvature of the postlaminectomy cervical spine.

The physical lordosis of multiple levels postlaminectomy cervical spine was reduced after multi-level loading,and the physical lordosis of the superior cervical spine disappeared with only slightly kyphosis.The kyphosis was aggravated after reducing the elastic modulus of intervertebral disc and ligament(anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments).Following increased elastic modulus of intervertebral disc and ligament,the kyphosis of cervical spine was reduced even disappeared,and gradually regained the normal lordosis of cervical spine.

Multiple levels cervical laminectomy can significant reduce the physical lordosis of cervical spine,and convert the physical cervical lordosis to cervical kyphosis.The elastic modulus increase of cervical intervertebral disc and ligament can inhibit kyphosis formation post laminectomy.