Power-assisted Pedicle Screw Technique Protects Against Risk of Surgeon Overuse Injury: A Comparative Electromyography Study of the Neck and Upper Extremity Muscle Groups in a Simulated Surgical Environment.

STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify the amplitude and duration of surgeons' muscle exertion from pedicle cannulation to screw placement using both manual and power-assisted tools in a simulated surgical environment using surface electromyography (EMG). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A survey of Scoliosis Research Society members reported rates of neck pain, rotator cuff disease, lateral epicondylitis, and cervical radiculopathy at 3 ×, 5 ×, 10 ×, and 100â€Š× greater than the general population. The use of power-assisted tools in spine surgery to facilitate pedicle cannulation through screw placement during open posterior fixation surgery may reduce torque on the upper limb and risk of overuse injury. METHODS: Pedicle preparation and screw placement was performed from T4-L5 in four cadavers by two board-certified spine surgeons using both manual and power-assisted techniques. EMG recorded muscle activity from the flexor carpi radialis, extensor carpi radialis, biceps, triceps, deltoid, upper trapezius, and neck extensors. Muscle activity was reported as a percentage of the maximum voluntary exertion of each muscle group (%MVE) and muscle exertion was linked to low- (0-20% MVE), moderate- (20%-45% MVE), high- (45%-70% MVE) and highest- (70%-100% MVE) risk of overuse injury based on literature. RESULTS: Use of power-assisted tools for pedicle cannulation through screw placement maintains average muscle exertion at low risk for overuse injury for every muscle group. Conversely with manual technique, the extensor carpi radialis, biceps, upper trapezius and neck extensors operate at levels of exertion that risk overuse injury for 50% to 92% of procedure time. Powerassisted tools reduce average muscle exertion of the biceps, triceps, and deltoid by upwards of 80%. CONCLUSION: Power-assisted technique protects against risk of overuse injury. Elevated muscle exertion of the extensor carpi radialis, biceps, upper trapezius, and neck extensors during manual technique directly correlate with surgeons' self-reported diagnoses of lateral epicondylitis, rotator cuff disease, and cervical myelopathy.Level of Evidence: N/A.

Biomechanical Analysis of the Cervical Spine Following Disc Degeneration, Disc Fusion, and Disc Replacement: A Finite Element Study.

BACKGROUND: Discectomy and fusion is considered the "gold standard" treatment for clinical manifestations of degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. However, clinical and biomechanical studies suggest that fusion may lead to adjacent-segment disease. Cervical disc arthroplasty preserves the motion at the operated level and may potentially decrease the occurrence of adjacent segment degeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of disc generation, fusion, and disc replacement on the motion, disc stresses, and facet forces on the cervical spine by using the finite element method. METHODS: A validated, intact, 3-dimensional finite element model of the cervical spine (C2-T1) was modified to simulate single-level (C5-C6) and 2-level (C5-C7) degeneration. The single-level degenerative model was modified to simulate both single-level fusion and arthroplasty (total disc replacement [TDR]) using the Bryan and Prestige LP discs. The 2-level degenerative model was modified to simulate a 2-level fusion, 2-level arthroplasty, and single-level disc replacement adjacent to single-level fusion (hybrid). The intact models were loaded by applying a moment of ±2 Nm in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The motion in each direction was noted and the other modified models were loaded by increasing the moment until the primary C2-T1 motion matched that of the intact (healthy) C2-T1 motion. RESULTS: Both Bryan and Prestige discs preserved motion at the implanted level and maintained normal motions at the adjacent nonoperative levels. A fusion resulted in a decrease in motion at the fused level and an increase in motion at the unfused levels. In the hybrid construct, the TDR (both) preserved motion adjacent to the fusion, thus reducing the demand on the other levels. The disc stresses followed the same trends as motion. Facet forces increased considerably at the index level following a TDR. CONCLUSION: The Bryan and Prestige LP TDRs both preserved motion at the implanted level and maintained normal motion and disc stresses at the adjacent levels. The motion patterns of the spine with a TDR more closely resembled that of the intact spine than those of the degenerative or fused models.

Biomechanical Analysis of Cervical Disc Replacement and Fusion Using Single Level, Two Level, and Hybrid Constructs.

STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical study comparing arthroplasty with fusion using human cadaveric C2-T1 spines. OBJECTIVE: To compare the kinematics of the cervical spine after arthroplasty and fusion using single level, 2 level and hybrid constructs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies have shown that spinal levels adjacent to a fusion experience increased motion and higher stress which may lead to adjacent segment disc degeneration. Cervical arthroplasty achieves similar decompression but preserves the motion at the operated level, potentially decreasing the occurrence of adjacent segment disc degeneration. METHODS: 11 specimens (C2-T1) were divided into 2 groups (BRYAN and PRESTIGE LP). The specimens were tested in the following order; intact, single level total disc replacement (TDR) at C5-C6, 2-level TDR at C5-C6-C7, fusion at C5-C6 and TDR at C6-C7 (Hybrid construct), and lastly a 2-level fusion. The intact specimens were tested up to a moment of 2.0 Nm. After each surgical intervention, the specimens were loaded until the primary motion (C2-T1) matched the motion of the respective intact state (hybrid control). RESULTS: An arthroplasty preserved motion at the implanted level and maintained normal motion at the nonoperative levels. Arthrodesis resulted in a significant decrease in motion at the fused level and an increase in motion at the unfused levels. In the hybrid construct, the TDR adjacent to fusion preserved motion at the arthroplasty level, thereby reducing the demand on the other levels. CONCLUSION: Cervical disc arthroplasty with both the BRYAN and PRESTIGE LP discs not only preserved the motion at the operated level, but also maintained the normal motion at the adjacent levels. Under simulated physiologic loading, the motion patterns of the spine with the BRYAN or PRESTIGE LP disc were very similar and were closer than fusion to the intact motion pattern. An adjacent segment disc replacement is biomechanically favorable to a fusion in the presence of a pre-existing fusion.

Sheep cervical spine biomechanics: a finite element study.

INTRODUCTION: Animal models are often used to make the transition from scientific concepts to clinical applications. The sheep model has emerged as an important model in spine biomechanics. Although there are several experimental biomechanical studies of the sheep cervical spine, only a limited number of computational models have been developed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a C2-C7 sheep cervical spine finite element (FE) model to study the biomechanics of the normal sheep cervical spine. METHODS: The model was based on anatomy defined using medical images and included nonlinear material properties to capture the high flexibility and large neutral zone of the sheep cervical spine. The model was validated using comprehensive experimental flexibility testing. Ten adult sheep cervical spines, from C2-C7, were used to experimentally ascertain overall and segmental flexibility to ±2 Nm in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. RESULTS: The ranges of motion predicted by the computational model were within one standard deviation of the respective experimental motions throughout the load cycle, with the exception of extension and lateral bending. The model over- and under predicted the peak motions in extension and lateral bending, respectively. Nevertheless, the model closely represents the range of motion and flexibility of the sheep cervical spine. DISCUSSION: This is the first multilevel model of the sheep cervical spine. The validated model affords additional biomechanical insight into the intact sheep cervical spine that cannot be easily determined experimentally. The model can be used to study various surgical techniques, instrumentation, and device placement, providing researchers and clinicians insight that is difficult, if not impossible, to gain experimentally.

Assessment of BioPlex interbody fusion device in a sheep lumbar fusion model.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bioPlex bioresorbable interbody device in a sheep lumbar fusion model and compare it to the concorde, a standard carbon fiber interbody cage. BACKGROUND: Lumbar interbody fusion devices are made from a variety of materials, including titanium alloys, carbon-fiber, and PEEK. The BioPlex Continuous Phase Composite (CPC) is a unique bioresorbable material comprised of Pro Osteon 500R and 70:30 Poly (L/D, L-lactic acid). The BioPlex device is radiolucent, resorbable and due to its bulk nanoporosity of 8%, has a more consistent degradation profile as compared to a polymer alone. METHODS: A total of twenty five male Suffolk sheep were used in this study; nineteen of which were implanted with a bioPlex or concorde device at the L3-L4 and L5-L6 levels using a modified transforaminal/lateral approach. A discectomy was performed and each implant (filled with autologous bone) was placed within the disc space. The sheep were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24 months postimplantation. Fusion was assessed via motion, radiographic and histological data. RESULTS: The BioPlex and Concorde implanted levels had significantly less motion (p<0.05) than the normal controls in flexion/extension and lateral bending at 6, 12, and 24 months. No significant difference in motion was detected between the bioPlex and concorde implants. CT fusion scores correlated with the motion analysis in all the three cases. CONCLUSION: In comparison to the concorde device, the bioPlex implant appears to have equivalent radiographic and biomechanical fusion success.

Considerations for the use of C7 crossing laminar screws in subaxial and cervicothoracic instrumentation.

STUDY DESIGN: Radiographical and biomechanical analyses. OBJECTIVE: To determine the applicability of C7 laminar screw fixation using radiographical and biomechanical analysis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The unique anatomy of C7 creates a challenge during instrumentation at the caudal aspect of the cervical spine and cervicothoracic junction. The C7 lateral mass is often smaller, resulting in increased difficulty for pedicle screw placement. The use of crossing laminar screw fixation is common in the upper cervical and thoracic spine; its use at the C7 level, however, has only recently appeared in the literature. METHODS: Radiographical: Computed tomographic scans from 72 patients were used to measure laminar thickness, spinolaminar angle, and length (i.e., from the spinolaminar junction to the contralateral lamina-lateral mass junction) for each C7 vertebrae. Biomechanical: The C2 and C7 vertebrae from 13 cadaveric cervical spines were obtained, scanned using pQCT (Stratec Electronics, Pforzheim, Germany) for bone mineral density, and then instrumented in the following manner: (1) bilateral crossing intralaminar screws in C2, (2) bilateral crossing intralaminar screws in C7, and (3) bilateral pedicle screws in each C7 specimen after completion of laminar screw biomechanical testing. Each specimen was cyclically loaded for 5000 cycles after which axial screw pullout tests were performed. RESULTS: Radiographical: Mean laminar thickness and length were 5.67 ± 1.00 mm and 25.49 ± 2.73 mm, respectively. Biomechanical: The mean load to failure was 610.3 ± 251 N for C7 laminar screws, 666.33 ± 373N for C7 pedicle screws, and 355 ± 250 N for C2 laminar screws. A student t test indicated no statistical difference in pullout strength between C7 laminar and C7 pedicle screws (P = 0.6). CONCLUSION: The radiographical anatomy at C7 suggests that intralaminar screws can be placed in the majority of patients. The in vitro biomechanical analysis performed indicates that C7 laminar screws are as strong as C7 pedicle screws and significantly stronger than laminar screws at C2. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Effect of multilevel open-door laminoplasty and laminectomy on flexibility of the cervical spine: an experimental investigation.

STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical comparison of 2 commonly used posterior surgical procedures for spinal cord decompression in the cervical spine: laminoplasty (open door) and laminectomy. OBJECTIVE: To delineate differences in cervical motion after laminoplasty (2-level and multilevel) and laminectomy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a common spinal cord disorder in persons aged 55 years or older. Laminectomy and laminoplasty are the 2 common posterior-based techniques used for decompression of spinal cord. There is lack of adequate literature data on the intersegmental rotations at the operated and adjacent levels. METHODS: Five human cadaveric specimens were tested sequentially as follows: (1) intact, (2) laminoplasty at C5-C6, (3) laminoplasty at C3-C6, and (4) laminectomy at C3-C6, each subjected to 2 N·m moments in flexion/extension, right/left lateral bending, and right/left axial rotation. For laminoplasty, the laminae of the involved vertebrae were stabilized with standard 10-mm plates and screws. The total and segmental motions of the specimens were measured before and after the surgical procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance, with P < 0.05 as the level of significance. RESULTS: Two-level laminoplasty led to minimal decrease (<7% in the 3 loading modes) in C2-T1 motion. Multilevel laminoplasty resulted in a minimal increase during lateral bending (4%) and axial rotation (6%). During flexion/extension, both C4-C5 and C2-C3 showed a decrease of 20% (P > 0.05) and 17% (P > 0.05) after 2-level and multilevel laminoplasty, respectively. Laminectomy resulted in a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in the C2-T1 range of motion compared with the intact condition during the 3 loading modes (21% in flexion/extension, 8% in lateral bending, and 15% in axial rotation). CONCLUSION: Both 2-level and multilevel laminoplasty preserved the C2-T1 range of motion. Laminectomy resulted in a significant increase in C2-T1 motion due to the loss of the posterior structures.

Biomechanical analysis of the intact and destabilized sheep cervical spine.

STUDY DESIGN: An in vitro investigation of the biomechanics of the intact and destabilized sheep cervical spine. OBJECTIVE: To establish the primary and coupled behaviors of the sheep cervical spine, levels C2-C7. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sheep spine models are often used as a precursor to human cadaveric and clinical trials. Several studies have focused on the sheep anatomy and functional spinal unit biomechanics. However, there has not been a comprehensive study of the multilevel sheep cervical spine. METHODS: Adult sheep cervical spines (C2-C7) were tested in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, using a 6-df testing apparatus. Moment-rotation curves were generated to understand the entire loading curve. Functional spinal units were tested at various levels of destabilization by sequentially removing the stabilizing structures (i.e., ligaments, facets). RESULTS: The range of motion increased with caudal progression. The average total range of motion was approximately 77°, 130°, and 64° for flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, respectively. The neutral zone accounted for a large range of motion during flexion-extension (~63%) and lateral bending (~72%). The flexion, extension, and axial rotation motion greatly increased after the removal of the capsular ligaments and facets. The C2-C3 has the largest change in motion during the various stages of destabilization. CONCLUSION: The sheep cervical spine is extremely flexible, as seen by the large range of motion and neutral zone. The large neutral zone may account for the coupled motion between axial rotation and lateral bending. The facets and capsular ligaments provide significant stability, especially in axial rotation, flexion, and extension.

Cervical laminoplasty construct stability: an experimental and finite element investigation.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental and finite element investigation of cervical laminoplasty. OBJECTIVE: To determine the stability of the construct post cervical laminoplasty. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical laminoplasty is a widely used technique to widen the spinal canal dimensions without permanently removing the dorsal elements of the cervical spine. Although various laminoplasty procedures have been developed recently, the use of mini-plates to hold the lamina open and prevent restenosis of the spinal cord is a fairly new method and has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: Biomechanical compression tests and finite element analyses were performed in this study. Sixteen cervical vertebrae (C3 - C6) were isolated from six cadaveric cervical spines (age at death 68 to 91 years; mean 85 years) and were used for compression tests. Out of the 16 vertebrae, four were without any surgical intervention and the remaining 12 were implanted with one of the two laminoplasty plates: open door (OD) graft. Each vertebra was randomly assigned to one of the three groups: OD plate (6), graft plate (6) or intact vertebrae (4). The intact and implanted vertebrae were potted and loaded to failure. Cross-head displacements and the corresponding reaction force throughout the test were recorded to determine the failure loads. A finite element model of the C5 cervical vertebra was created to accommodate the laminoplasty implants. Experimental loading and boundary conditions were simulated and the stress distribution in the lamina was predicted in response to the compressive loads. RESULTS: A substantial increase in the sagittal canal diameter (27%-33%) and the spinal canal area (31.2%-47%) was observed at all levels. The strength of the implanted specimens was considerably decreased (by six to eight times) as compared to the intact specimens. CONCLUSION: Experimentally obtained data can be combined with mathematical models, such as finite element models, to accurately predict the biomechanical behavior (stresses and strains) of implants and the posterior bone which may not be possible by the use of any other method.