Hybrid cortical bone trajectory and modified cortical bone trajectory techniques in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 segment: A finite element analysis.

Background: The academia has increasingly acknowledged the superior biomechanical performance of the hybrid fixation technique in recent years. However, there is a lack of research on the hybrid fixation technique using BCS (Bilateral Cortical Screws) and BMCS (Bilateral Modified Cortical Screws). This study aims to investigate the biomechanical performance of the BCS and BMCS hybrid fixation technique in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) at the L4-L5 segment in a complete lumbar-sacral finite element model. Methods: Three cadaver specimens are used to construct three lumbar-sacral finite element models. The biomechanical properties of various fixation technologies (BCS-BCS, BMCS-BMCS, BMCS-BCS, and BCS-BMCS) are evaluated at the L4-5 segment with a TLIF procedure conducted, including the range of motion (ROM) of the L4-5 segment, as well as the stress experienced by the cage, screws, and rods. The testing is conducted under specific loading conditions, including a compressive load of 400 N and a torque of 7.5Nm, subjecting the model to simulate flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation. Results: No significant variations are seen in the ROM at the L4-5 segment when comparing the four fixation procedures during flexion and extension. However, when it comes to lateral bending and rotation, the ROM is ordered in descending order as BCS-BCS, BCS-BMCS, BMCS-BMCS, and BMCS-BCS. The maximum stress experienced by the cage is observed to be highest within the BMCS-BCS technique during movements including flexion, extension, and lateral bending. Conversely, the BMCS-BMCS technique exhibits the highest cage stress levels during rotational movements. The stress applies to the screws and rods order the sequence of BCS-BCS, BCS-BMCS, BMCS-BCS, and BMCS-BMCS throughout all four working conditions. Conclusion: The BMCS-BCS technique shows better biomechanical performance with less ROM and lower stress on the internal fixation system compared to other fixation techniques. BMCS-BMCS technology has similar mechanical performance to BMCS-BCS but has more contact area between screws and cortical bone, making it better for patients with severe osteoporosis.

The Method of Portal Making in Lumbar Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Surgery with Different Operative Approaches According to the Constant Anatomical Landmarks of the Lumbar Spine: A Review of the Literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Review. OBJECTIVE: Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) is a minimally invasive surgery that is gaining recognition and being employed in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the precise method for determining UBE portals' location varies depending on the originator's preferences or the anatomical structure's proximity to the portal positions. Consequently, the relationship among UBE portals' locations is messy. This study aims to elaborate on the specific portal localization and explore the positional association and commonality among different UBE approaches' portals. METHODS: The following keywords are used to search in the PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang database: "Biportal endoscopic spinal surgery", "Two portal endoscopic spinal surgery", "Percutaneous biportal endoscopic decompression", "Unilateral biportal endoscopy", "Irrigation endoscopic discectomy", "UBE" and "BESS". RESULTS: After screening, 29 pieces of literature are included. The study summarizes different UBE approach portal localizations, categorized by fusion or non-fusion surgery and pathological classification. The study presents an inaugural method for categorizing the lumber into four surgical intervals based on bone landmarks and assigns different UBE approaches to the appropriate intervals based on their characteristics, making the selection of UBE surgical approaches' portal locations more flexible. Additionally, the study provides an overview of the indications, complications, and distinct benefits associated with each interval, further refining the novel UBE portal interval localization method. CONCLUSION: The study clarifies the interrelationship and commonality between the portals of different UBE approaches and proposes a new UBE portal interval localization method to enhance surgeons' understanding and proficiency in UBE procedures.

Biomechanical evaluation of modified and traditional cortical bone trajectory technique on adjacent segment degeneration in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion-finite element analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Modified cortical bone trajectory (MCBT) technique was proposed by our team in previous studies, but its biomechanical properties at adjacent segments have not been discussed yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the biomechanical properties of modified cortical bone trajectory (MCBT) technique on adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) in transforaminal intradiscal lumbar disc fusion (TLIF) compare to traditional bone trajectory (TT) technique and cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique. METHODS: The four human cadaveric lumbar specimens were provided by the anatomy teaching and research department of Xinjiang Medical University and four intact finite element models of the L1-S1 segment were generated. For each of these, three transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures with three different fixation techniques were reconstructed at the L4-L5 segment, as follows: TT-TT (TT at both L4 and L5 segments), CBT-CBT (CBT at both L4 and L5 segments), MCBT-MCBT (MCBT at both L4 and L5 segments). The range of motion and von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc of the L3-L4 and L5-S1 segments were recorded with a 400N compressive load and 7.5 Nm moments in flexion, extension, left-right bending, and left-right rotation. RESULTS: The peak ROM of the L3-L4 segment in the MCBT-MCBT group was reduced by 10.5%, 6.1%, 12.2%, 4.1%, and 1.5% in flexion, extension, left-right bending, and left rotation compared to the TT-TT group and reduced by 1.8%, 5.5%, 10.0%, 12.8%, and 8.8% in flexion, left-right bending, and left-right rotation compared to the CBT-CBT group, respectively. The MCBT-MCBT group has the lowest peak ROM of the L3-L4 segment in flexion, left bending, and right rotation, the lowest peak ROM of the L5-S1 segment in extension and right rotation, and the lowest peak von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc at the L5-S1 segment in right rotation compared to the TT-TT and CBT-CBT group. In addition, the peak von Mises stress at the L3-L4 segment was lowest and more dispersed in all motions, the MCBT-MCBT group exhibited lower peak ROM of the L5-S1 segment in flexion, extension, and right rotation, and showed lower peak von Mises stress of the disc at the L5-S1 segment in flexion, extension, and right rotation compared with the TT-TT group. CONCLUSION: The modified cortical bone trajectory technique may have a beneficial effect on reducing the incidence of ASD in the L4-L5 TLIF model compared to the traditional bone trajectory technique and cortical bone trajectory technique.

Mechanical analysis of cortical bone trajectory screw placement in lumbar revision / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:At present,there are shortcomings and risks in the surgical revision of vertebral bodies that failed to be fixed in clinical practice.To avoid the risks of conventional revision surgery,the cortical bone trajectory technique is used to perform revision surgery on vertebral bodies that failed to be fixed.However,the mechanical properties of cortical bone trajectory technique screws in revision surgery are not clear. OBJECTIVE:The mechanical properties of cortical bone trajectory in lumbar revision surgery were analyzed by the finite element method to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of cortical bone trajectory in revision surgery. METHODS:CT scan data of the osteoporotic vertebral body were obtained and the L4 vertebral body model was established.The initial cortical bone trajectory placement and traditional pedicle screw in the L4 vertebral body model were completed,respectively,and their mechanical data were taken as the baseline standard for later evaluation of revision surgical performance.The traditional pedicle screw was removed and the screw path was retained.The cortical bone trajectory screw was used for secondary screw placement on the vertebral body to achieve lumbar refixation.The axial pull-out force,stability,and lumbar motion range of the revised screw were analyzed by the finite element method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The screw axial pull-out force of the cortical bone trajectory revision group was 25.6%higher than that of the traditional pedicle initial group.(2)In the lower,left,and right working conditions,the load-displacement ratio of screws in the cortical bone trajectory revision group increased by 18.5%,41.3%,and 35.0%,respectively,compared with the traditional pedicle initial group.The load-displacement ratio of screws in the cortical bone trajectory revision group was slightly higher than that in the traditional pedicle initial group under the above condition,but there was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).(3)In anterior and posterior flexion conditions,lumbar motion range in the cortical bone trajectory revision group was increased by 45.5%and 36.1%compared with the traditional pedicle initial group,but there was no statistically significant difference in left bend,right bend,and axial rotation conditions(P>0.05).(4)There were no statistically significant differences in screw axial pull-out force,screw load-displacement ratio,and lumbar motion range between the cortical bone trajectory revision group and cortical bone trajectory initial group(P>0.05).(5)The mechanical data exhibited that although the revised nail track bone was damaged or lost to a certain extent,the mechanical properties of the cortical bone trajectory revision group were still better than those of the traditional pedicle initial group to a certain extent.Moreover,there was no significant difference in the mechanical properties between the cortical bone trajectory revision group and the cortical bone trajectory initial group.It provides a reference for revision surgery of lumbar internal fixation with cortical bone trajectory technique in patients with failed traditional pedicle fixation.

Design of a Novel Variable-Diameter Cortical Threaded Screw and its Application in Improving Cortical Bone Trajectory in Lumbar Spine / 医用生物力学

Objective A novel variable-diameter cortical threaded screw used in a modified cortical bone trajectory(MCBT)was designed to verify its mechanical properties using the MCBT technique.Methods According to MCBT technology,the screw pitch was fixed at 2 mm,the total length was 45 mm,the diameter of the thick rod was 5.5 mm,the diameter of the thin rod was 4.0-4.5 mm,and the length of variable-diameter position connecting the thick rod and the thin rod was 2 mm.The parameters were set based on three aspects:variable-diameter position,thread depth,and thread type.Three-factor and three-level L9 tests were conducted and screw models were established.The torsion and the bending and pull-out force of the designed screws were calculated based on the finite element method,the results were analyzed using range analysis,and then the screw models were determined.The three-dimensional(3D)model of L4 vertebral body in osteoporosis specimens was established and screws were placed according to the MCBT technique.The pull-out force of the novel variable-diameter cortical threaded screw was compared with that of a conventional non-variable-diameter cortical threaded screw.Results Range analysis showed that screw No.6(variable-diameter position:24 mm from the screw head,thread depth:0.7 mm,45° symmetrical thread)was the optimal screw.The anti-pull-out force of the No.6 variable-diameter cortical threaded screw was 13.1%higher than that of the 4.5 mm conventional non-variable-diameter cortical threaded screw,and no statistical difference in anti-pull-out force was found between the No.6 variable-diameter cortical threaded screw and the 5.5 mm conventional non-variable-diameter cortical threaded screw.Conclusions The variable-diameter position has the smallest influence on pull-out force of the screw,the thread type has the largest influence on pull-out force,and the thread depth has the largest influence on torsion and bending.Compared with that of the conventional non-variable-diameter cortical threaded screw,the variable-diameter cortical threaded screw had a smaller front end,which prevented splitting at the entrance point of the screw.The screw has a large diameter at rear end,thereby showing improved pull-out performance.The results provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical application of MCBT technology.

[Progress in minimally invasive surgery for adjacent segment disease after lumbar fusion].

Adjacent segment disease (ASDis) is a common complication of posterior lumbar spine fusion and often requires surgical treatment. In the treatment of ASDis, percutaneous spinal endoscopy can be used for simple decompression without removal of the original internal fixation, or for posterior fixation and fusion under the scope or in combination with other access fixation and fusion techniques, with the advantages of less surgical trauma, less bleeding, and faster postoperative recovery. Traditional trajectory screw technique is one of the risk factors for adjacent segment degeneration because of its tendency to cause damage to the adjacent synovial joint during surgery. In contrast, the cortical tone trajectory (CBT) screw placement technique not only reduces the damage to the articular joint during the screw placement process, but also preserves the original internal fixation in the treatment of ASDis, which significantly reduces the surgical trauma. Secondly, the implantation of CBT screws with the aid of digital technologies such as three-dimentinal printed guides, CT navigation, and robotics allows for more precise "double nailing" of ASDis patients to complete the fusion of adjacent segments, and is a minimally invasive procedure to be considered for patients who meet the clinical indications for fusion. This article reviews the literature on the use of percutaneous spinal endoscopy and CBT in the surgical management of ASDis.

Biomechanical investigation of the hybrid lumbar fixation technique with traditional and cortical bone trajectories in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: finite element analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanical performance of the hybrid lumbar fixation technique with the traditional and cortical bone trajectory techniques using the finite element method. METHODS: Four adult wet lumbar spine specimens were provided by the Department of Anatomy and Research of Xinjiang Medical University, and four L1-S1 lumbar spine with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) models at L4-L5 segment and four different fixation techniques were established: bilateral traditional trajectory screw fixation (TT-TT), bilateral cortical bone trajectory screw fixation (CBT-CBT), hybrid CBT-TT (CBT screws at L4 and TT screws at L5) and TT-CBT (TT screws at L4 and CBT screws at L5). The range of motion (ROM) of the L4-L5 segment, von Mises stress of cage, internal fixation, and rod were compared in flexion, extension, left and right bending, and left and right rotation. RESULTS: Compared with the TT-TT group, the TT-CBT group exhibited lower ROM of L4-L5 segment, especially in left-sided bending; the CBT-TT group had the lowest ROM of L4-L5 segment in flexion and extension among the four fixation methods. Compared with the CBT-CBT group, the peak cage stress in the TT-CBT group was reduced by 9.9%, 18.1%, 21.5%, 23.3%, and 26.1% in flexion, left bending, right bending, left rotation, and right rotation conditions, respectively, but not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The peak stress of the internal fixation system in the TT-CBT group was significantly lower than the other three fixation methods in all five conditions except for extension, with a statistically significant difference between the CBT-TT and TT-CBT groups in the left rotation condition (P = 0.017). In addition, compared with the CBT-CBT group, the peak stress of the rod in the CBT-TT group decreased by 34.8%, 32.1%, 28.2%, 29.3%, and 43.0% under the six working conditions of flexion, extension, left bending, left rotation, and right rotation, respectively, but not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the TT-TT and CBT-CBT fixation methods in TLIF, the hybrid lumbar fixation CBT-TT and TT-CBT techniques increase the biomechanical stability of the internal fixation structure of the lumbar fusion segment to a certain extent and provide a corresponding theoretical basis for further development in the clinic.

Anatomical and imaging measurements of the angle between the axis of the lumbar pedicle and lateral isthmus margin and its clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the measurement of the angle between the axis of the pedicle and the lateral margin of the isthmus on the lumbar spine, and investigate its clinical significance. METHODS: The angle was measured on 120 normal adults' X-ray and 25 dry anatomical specimens. 60 screws were placed by junior residents on 6 wet specimens through the freehand technique. 30 screws were placed on one side with their original experience. After learning the techniques mentioned in the study, 30 screws were placed on the other side. The specimens were examined by X-ray and CT, and the angles of the screw paths and the integrity of the pedicle were evaluated. RESULTS: The angles of 120 subjects and 25 anatomical specimens show a gradually increasing trend. The differences among each segment were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but the difference in the same segment between the X-ray and the anatomical specimens was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the differences in L1, L2, and L3 between the two genders were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, the angles were larger in female group than in male group in L4 and L5, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference in the deviation rate of screw placement before and after the learning was statistically significant only in the L5 segment (P < 0.05). The difference in overall excellence rate was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of the angle between the axis of the pedicle and the lateral margin of the isthmus on the lumbar can improve the accuracy of the lumbar sagittal screw angle.

Complication, fusion, and revision rate in the lumbar cortical bone trajectory and pedicle screw fixation techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To obtain the complication rate, fusion rate, and revision rate of the lumbar cortical bone trajectory technique and pedicle screw fixation technique in lumbar interbody fusion surgery by single-arm meta-analysis and lay a basis for orthopedic surgeons to select the fixation techniques and perioperative management. METHODS: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched comprehensively. Data extraction, content analysis, and quality assessment of the literature were performed by two independent reviewers according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines using R and STATA software for single-arm meta-analysis. RESULTS: The total complication rate of the lumbar cortical bone trajectory technique was 6%, including a hardware complication rate of 2%, ASD (adjacent segment degeneration) rate of 1%, wound infection rate of 1%, dural damage rate of 1%, hematoma rate tending to 0%, fusion rate of 94%, and revision rate of 1%. Lumbar pedicle screw fixation techniques had a total complication rate of 9%, with a hardware complication rate of 2%, ASD rate of 3%, wound infection rate of 2%, dural damage rate of 1%, hematoma rate tending to 0%, fusion rate of 94%, and revision rate of 5%. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022354550. CONCLUSION: Lumbar cortical bone trajectory was associated with a lower total complication rate, ASD rate, wound infection rate, and revision rate than pedicle screw fixation. The cortical bone trajectory technique reduces the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications and can be an alternative in lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

Biomechanical evaluation of the hybrid pedicle screw-cortical bone trajectory technique in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to adjacent segment degeneration-finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is an effective surgical treatment of intervertebral disk herniation. However, its clinical efficacy for adjacent segment disk degeneration (ASDD) after hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw (pedicle screw at L4 and cortical bone trajectory screw at L5) and hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw (bilateral cortical screw at L4 and bilateral pedicle screw at L5) remains undiscovered. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw and hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw on the adjacent segment via a 3-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis. METHODS: Four human cadaveric lumbar spine specimens were provided by the anatomy teaching and research department of Xinjiang Medical University. Four finite element models of L1-S1 lumbar spine segment were generated. For each of these, four lumbar transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion models at L4-L5 segment with the following instruments were created: hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw, bilateral cortical screw - bilateral cortical screw (bilateral cortical screw at both L4 and L5 segments), bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw (bilateral pedicle screw at both L4 and L5 segments), and hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw. A 400-N compressive load with 7.5 Nm moments was applied for the simulation of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation. The range of motion of L3-L4 and L5-S1 segments and von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc at the adjacent segment were compared. RESULTS: Hybrid bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral cortical screw has the lowest range of motion at L3-L4 segment in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and the highest disc stress in all motions, while the range of motion at L5-S1 segment and disc stress was lower than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and higher than bilateral cortical screw - bilateral cortical screw in all motions. The range of motion of hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw at L3-L4 segment was lower than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw and higher than bilateral cortical screw - bilateral cortical screw in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and the range of motion at L5-S1 segment was higher than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw in flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The disc stress at L3-L4 segment was lowest and more dispersed in all motions, and the disc stress at L5-S1 segment was higher than bilateral pedicle screw - bilateral pedicle screw in lateral bending and axial rotation, but more dispersed. CONCLUSION: Hybrid bilateral cortical screw - bilateral pedicle screw decreases the impact on adjacent segments after spinal fusion, reduces the iatrogenic injury to the paravertebral tissues, and provides throughout decompression of the lateral recess.

Hybrid pedicle screw and modified cortical bone trajectory technique in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 segment: finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Investigate the biomechanical properties of the hybrid fixation technique with bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) and bilateral modified cortical bone trajectory screw (BMCS) in L4-L5 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). METHODS:  Three finite element (FE) models of the L1-S1 lumbar spine were established according to the three human cadaveric lumbar specimens. BPS-BMCS (BPS at L4 and BMCS at L5), BMCS-BPS (BMCS at L4 and BPS at L5), BPS-BPS (BPS at L4 and L5), and BMCS-BMCS (BMCS at L4 and L5) were implanted into the L4-L5 segment of each FE model. The range of motion (ROM) of the L4-L5 segment, von Mises stress of the fixation, intervertebral cage, and rod were compared under a 400-N compressive load with 7.5 Nm moments in flexion, extension, bending, and rotation. RESULTS:  BPS-BMCS technique has the lowest ROM in extension and rotation, and BMCS-BMCS technique has the lowest ROM in flexion and lateral bending. The BMCS-BMCS technique showed maximal cage stress in flexion and lateral bending, and the BPS-BPS technique in extension and rotation. Compared to the BPS-BPS and BMCS-BMCS technique, BPS-BMCS technique presented a lower risk of screw breakage and BMCS-BPS technique presented a lower risk of rod breakage. CONCLUSION:  The results of this study support that the use of the BPS-BMCS and BMCS-BPS techniques in TLIF surgery for offering the superior stability and a lower risk of cage subsidence and instrument-related complication.

Morphometric measurement of lumbar pedicle in different regions: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To collect the data of pedicle width and height in different areas, and to investigate the difference and variation rule of pedicle width and height. METHODS: Comprehensive search of PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Web of science databases was performed. Collected data were imported into SPSS, and one-way ANOVA test and post hoc test were used to determine whether there were statistical differences in pedicle width and height between the different regions. RESULTS: Oceania had the largest pedicle width and height, followed by Americans. West Asian had the largest pedicle width in Asia, followed by East and Southeast Asian, and Chinese and South Asian had similar pedicle width. Different from the variation pattern of pedicle width, the pedicle height of Chinese, East and Southeast Asian and West Asian in Asian range is similar, but the pedicle height of South Asian is significantly smaller than the first three, and has statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: People in different regions have similar patterns of variation in pedicle width and height even though they belong to different ethnic groups. This phenomenon is particularly prominent and pronounced in populations in geographically close areas, which may be related to inter-ethnic integration due to population movement between adjacent areas. There is a relationship between the morphological characteristics of the human lumbar pedicle and geographical location.

Progress in minimally invasive surgery for adjacent segment disease after lumbar fusion / 中华外科杂志

Adjacent segment disease (ASDis) is a common complication of posterior lumbar spine fusion and often requires surgical treatment. In the treatment of ASDis, percutaneous spinal endoscopy can be used for simple decompression without removal of the original internal fixation, or for posterior fixation and fusion under the scope or in combination with other access fixation and fusion techniques, with the advantages of less surgical trauma, less bleeding, and faster postoperative recovery. Traditional trajectory screw technique is one of the risk factors for adjacent segment degeneration because of its tendency to cause damage to the adjacent synovial joint during surgery. In contrast, the cortical tone trajectory (CBT) screw placement technique not only reduces the damage to the articular joint during the screw placement process, but also preserves the original internal fixation in the treatment of ASDis, which significantly reduces the surgical trauma. Secondly, the implantation of CBT screws with the aid of digital technologies such as three-dimentinal printed guides, CT navigation, and robotics allows for more precise "double nailing" of ASDis patients to complete the fusion of adjacent segments, and is a minimally invasive procedure to be considered for patients who meet the clinical indications for fusion. This article reviews the literature on the use of percutaneous spinal endoscopy and CBT in the surgical management of ASDis.

Comparison of CT values in traditional trajectory, traditional cortical bone trajectory, and modified cortical bone trajectory.

BACKGROUND: To compare the CT values and length of the screw tracks of traditional trajectory (TT), cortical bone trajectory (CBT), and modified cortical bone trajectory (MCBT) screws and investigate the effects on the biomechanics of lumbar fixation. METHODS: CT scan data of 60 L4 and L5 lumbar spine were retrieved and divided into 4 groups (10 male and 10 female cases in the 20-30 years old group and 20 male and 20 female cases in the 30-40 years old group). 3-dimentional (3D) model were established using Mimics 19.0 for each group and the placement of three techniques was simulated on the L4 and L5, and the part of the bone occupied by the screw track was set as the region of interest (ROI). The mean CT value and the actual length of the screw track were measured by Mimics 19.0. RESULTS: The CT values of ROI for the three techniques were significantly different between the same gander in each age group (P < 0.05). The difference of screw track lengths for CBT and MCBT in the male and female is significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the CT values of the three screw tracks: MCBT > CBT > TT, the MCBT screw track has greater bone-screw surface strength and longer screw tracks than CBT, which is easier to reach the anterior column of the vertebral body contributing to superior biomechanical properties.

Feasibility and improvement of a three-dimensional printed navigation template for modified cortical bone trajectory screw placement in the lumbar spine.

Objectives: Compared with traditional pedicle screw trajectory, cortical bone trajectory (CBT) increases the contact surface between the screw and cortical bone where the screw is surrounded by dense cortical bone, which does not deform remarkably due to degeneration. We aimed to provide detailed information about the improvement of three-dimensional (3D)-printed navigation templates for modified CBT screw placement in the lumbar spine and evaluate the safety and accuracy thereof. Methods: Four human cadaveric lumbar spine specimens were selected. After CT scanning data were reconstructed to 3D models, either the left or right side of each specimen was randomly selected to establish a 3D-navigation template, mutually complemented with the surface anatomical structure of the lateral margin of the lumbar isthmus, vertebral plate, and spinous process. The corresponding 3D centrum was printed according to the CT scanning data, and a navigation template of supporting design was made according to modified cortical bone technique. The same template was used to insert CBT screws into 3D printed and cadaveric specimens. After the screws were inserted, the screw path of the 3D printed specimens was directly observed, and that of the anatomical specimens was scanned by CT, to determine the position and direction of the screws to analyze the success rate of screw placement. Results: Twenty cortical bone screws were placed in each of the 3D printed and anatomical specimens, with excellent rates of screw placement of 100% and 95%, respectively. Conclusions: We report the easy, safe, accurate, and reliable use of a 3D-printed navigation template to carry out screw placement by modified cortical bone technique in the lumbar spine.

Zero-profile implant versus conventional cage-plate construct in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of single-level degenerative cervical spondylosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcomes of single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with the Zero-profile (Zero-p) were evaluated in comparison with the anterior cervical cage-plate construct (CPC). METHODS: We performed a systematic search covering PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (NCKI), Wan Fang Database, and Wei Pu Database. Articles focused on single-level ACDF or data of the single - level that can be extracted were included, and articles that did not directly compare Zero-p and CPC were excluded. Twenty-seven studies were included with a total of 1866 patients, 931 in the Zero-p group and 935 in the CPC group. All outcomes were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4. RESULTS: The meta-analysis outcomes indicated that operative time (WMD = - 12.47, 95% CI (- 16.89, - 8.05), P < 0.00001), intraoperative blood loss (WMD = - 13.30, 95% CI (- 18.83, - 7.78), P < 0.00001), risk of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) (OR 0.31, 95% CI (0.20, 0.48), P < 0.0001), risk of dysphagia of short-term (OR 0.40, 95% CI (0.30, 0.54), P < 0.0001), medium-term (OR 0.31, 95% CI (0.20, 0.49), P < 0.0001), and long-term (OR 0.29, 95% CI (0.17, 0.51), P < 0.0001) of Zero-p group were significantly lower. The JOA score of Zero-p group at the final follow-up was significantly higher (WMD = - 0.17, 95% CI (- 0.32, - 0.03), P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in length of stay (LOS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analogue Score (VAS), fusion rate, segmental Cobb angle, cervical Cobb angle, prevertebral soft tissue thickness (PSTT), SF-36, subsidence, implant failure, and hoarseness between the two groups. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022347146. CONCLUSION: Zero-p group reduced operative time, intraoperative blood loss, JOA score at follow-up and reduced the incidence of dysphagia and postoperative ASD, but the two devices had the same efficacy in restoring the cervical curvature, preventing the cage subsidence, and in postoperative VAS, NDI, LOS, PSTT, SF-36, fusion rate, implant failure, and hoarseness in single-level ACDF. The use of Zero-p in single-level ACDF was recommended.

Biomechanical investigation of the hybrid modified cortical bone screw-pedicle screw fixation technique: Finite-element analysis.

Background: Hybrid fixation techniques including the both modified cortical bone trajectory (MCBT) and traditional trajectory (TT) at the L4 and L5 lumbar segment are firstly proposed by our team. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate and provide specific biomechanical data of the hybrid fixation techniques including the MCBT and TT. Methods: Four human cadaveric specimens were from the anatomy laboratory of Xinjiang Medical University. Four finite-element (FE) models of the L4-L5 lumbar spine were generated. For each of them, four implanted models with the following fixations were established: TT-TT (TT screw at the cranial and caudal level), MCBT-MCBT (MCBT screw at the cranial and caudal level), hybrid MCBT-TT (MCBT screw at the cranial level and TT screw at the caudal level), and TT-MCBT (TT screw at the cranial level and MCBT screw at the caudal level). A 400-N compressive load with 7.5 N/m moments was applied to simulate flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation, respectively. The range of motion (ROM) of the L4-L5 segment and the posterior fixation, the von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc, and the posterior fixation were compared. Results: Compared to the TT-TT group, the MCBT-TT showed a significant lower ROM of the L4-L5 segment (p ≤ 0.009), lower ROM of the posterior fixation (p < 0.001), lower intervertebral disc stress (p < 0.001), and lower posterior fixation stress (p ≤ 0.041). TT-MCBT groups showed a significant lower ROM of the L4-L5 segment (p ≤ 0.012), lower ROM of the posterior fixation (p < 0.001), lower intervertebral disc stress (p < 0.001), and lower posterior fixation stress (p ≤ 0.038). Conclusions: The biomechanical properties of the hybrid MCBT-TT and TT-MCBT techniques at the L4-L5 segment are superior to that of stability MCBT-MCBT and TT-TT techniques, and feasibility needs further cadaveric study to verify.

Cadaveric study of anatomical measurement of isthmus parameters of lumbar spine to guide cortical bone screw placement.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce surgical exposure and improve accuracy, this study evaluated the anatomical distance parameter D (including D1, D2, and D3) of the lumbar isthmus for cortical bone screw insertion. METHODS: A total of 25 structurally complete lumbar dry specimens were used for lumbar anatomy measurements. The six cadaver specimens were divided into upper and lower parts on the plane of the T11-T12 vertebrae, and we use the lower parts. Therefore, six lumbar wet specimens and another four complete lumbar dry specimens were selected. The lumbar isthmus tangent point was considered a coordinate origin, and the insertion point was determined through translating the distance of D1 value to the midline of the vertebral body horizontally and then vertically moved toward inferior board of the transverse process with the distance of D3 value. RESULTS: In four dry and six wet intact lumbar specimens, cortical bone screws were placed according to the average value of the isthmus parameter D. A total of 100 trajectories were verified in specimens by X-ray and computed topography scan to evaluate the safety, accuracy, and feasibility of the surgical use of isthmus parameter D. Using this parameter, the rates of excellent screw placement were 95% (38/40) in four dry specimens and 88.7% (53/60) in six wet specimens. CONCLUSION: The isthmus parameter D is easier to use by the operator, which can improve surgical accuracy and reduce operation time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prospective study.

Cadaveric study of anatomical measurement of isthmus parameters of lumbar spine to guide cortical bone screw placement

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To reduce surgical exposure and improve accuracy, this study evaluated the anatomical distance parameter D (including D1, D2, and D3) of the lumbar isthmus for cortical bone screw insertion. METHODS: A total of 25 structurally complete lumbar dry specimens were used for lumbar anatomy measurements. The six cadaver specimens were divided into upper and lower parts on the plane of the T11-T12 vertebrae, and we use the lower parts. Therefore, six lumbar wet specimens and another four complete lumbar dry specimens were selected. The lumbar isthmus tangent point was considered a coordinate origin, and the insertion point was determined through translating the distance of D1 value to the midline of the vertebral body horizontally and then vertically moved toward inferior board of the transverse process with the distance of D3 value. RESULTS: In four dry and six wet intact lumbar specimens, cortical bone screws were placed according to the average value of the isthmus parameter D. A total of 100 trajectories were verified in specimens by X-ray and computed topography scan to evaluate the safety, accuracy, and feasibility of the surgical use of isthmus parameter D. Using this parameter, the rates of excellent screw placement were 95% (38/40) in four dry specimens and 88.7% (53/60) in six wet specimens. CONCLUSION: The isthmus parameter D is easier to use by the operator, which can improve surgical accuracy and reduce operation time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prospective study.