PubMed HealthSearch

PubMed · 9055363

Offset laminar hooks decrease bending moments of pedicle screws during in situ contouring.

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical study was conducted using cadaver spines to determine the influence of supplemental offset laminar hooks on pedicle screw bending moments and migration during in situ contouring of short-segment pedicle instrumentation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of offset laminar hooks on short-segment pedicle instrumentation constructs during in situ contouring. It was hypothesized that the screw bending moments and screw migration would decrease when offset laminar hooks were used with short-segment pedicle instrumentation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Clinical studies have implicated screw bending or breakage at the screw hub as failure mechanisms in short-segment pedicle instrumentation constructs used to stabilize thoracolumbar fractures, particularly when rods are contoured in situ. METHODS: Cadaver spines were instrumented using short-segment pedicle instrumentation or short-segment pedicle instrumentation with supplemental offset laminar hooks. The instrumentation was contoured in situ, and screw bending moments were measured at the hub of the screws. Screw migration was measured from lateral radiographs. Comparisons of screw bending moments and migration were made between the two instrumentation configurations. RESULTS: The addition of offset laminar hooks significantly reduced screw bending moments and screw migration during in situ contouring. The mean screw bending moments decreased approximately 30% at the maximum bending angle of 30 degrees (P < 0.05), and the mean screw migration during contouring decreased from 8 degrees to 2 degrees (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of offset laminar hooks to short-segment pedicle instrumentation decreases screw bending moments and migration of the screws during in situ contouring of the rod. The authors speculate that decrease in loading of the screw will improve durability of the constructs clinically.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

S A Yerby, J R Ehteshami, R F McLain. 1997-02-15. Offset laminar hooks decrease bending moments of pedicle screws during in situ contouring.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199702150-00004

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Wire fixation techniques of the cervical facets.

STUDY DESIGN: The changes in the biomechanical responses of the cervical spine altered by multilevel laminectomy to various facet wiring techniques were evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of various proposed techniques of cervical facet wiring used to offer rigid internal fixation after multilevel laminectomy. METHODS: Eight human cadaveric spine segments from C2-11 underwent combined flexion-compression loading. After testing intact and three-level laminectomy (C4-C6) preparations, two techniques of facet wiring fixation were evaluated in an identical manner. Force, displacement, and kinematics data at every level of the column were obtained. RESULTS: The mean stiffness of the intact column was significantly greater than the mean stiffness for laminectomized specimens. Individual facet wiring to the bone graft and through the spinous process below the laminectomy failed to restore stiffness to the laminectomized preparations, whereas the Luque rectangle method restored the stiffness to that found in the intact column. The increases in segmental and overall sagittal rotations resulting from multilevel laminectomy were not decreased significantly by the individual facet wiring technique, but the Luque rectangle technique demonstrated a reduction of sagittal rotations compared with laminectomy without fixation. CONCLUSIONS: The significant increases in total column flexibility and segmental flexural rotations after multilevel laminectomy were not corrected by techniques that depend on individual facet wires secured to an overlying strut, including wiring to the inferior intact segment. Crosslinking of the facet wire fixation above and below the laminectomized segments, as exemplified by the Luque rectangle technique, restored column stiffness and reduced segmental sagittal rotations.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Cervical pedicle screws versus lateral mass screws. Anatomic feasibility and biomechanical comparison.

STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical comparison of the pull-out strengths of lateral mass and pedicle screws in the human cervical spine. Measurements of pedicle dimensions and orientation were compiled. OBJECTIVES: To determine if transpedicular screws provide greater pull-out resistance than lateral mass screws and to investigate the anatomic feasibility of pedicle screw insertion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical pedicle screws have been reported in limited clinical and biomechanical studies, and some quantitative cervical pedicle anatomy has been reported. No direct biomechanical comparisons have been made between lateral mass and pedicle screws. METHODS: Fifty-six fresh disarticulated human vertebrae (C2-C7) were evaluated with computed tomography to determine morphometry and vertebral body bone density. Lateral mass and pedicle screws were randomized to left versus right. A 3.5-mm cortical screw was used for both techniques, unless a pedicle was narrower than 5.0 mm; then a 2.7-mm cortical screw was used instead. Pedicle wall violations were recorded. Screws were subjected to a uniaxial load to failure. Mean pedicle height, width, and angle with respect to the vertebral midline were tabulated for each level. RESULTS: The mean load-to-failure was 677 N for the cervical pedicle screws and 355 N for the lateral mass screws. No significant correlations for either screw type were found between pull-out strength and bone density, screw length, or vertebral level. Pedicle and lateral mass dimensions were highly variable and not predictive of pull-out strength. Seven (13%) minor pedicle wall violations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical pedicle screws demonstrated a significantly higher resistance to pull-out forces than did lateral mass screws. The variability in pedicle morphometry and orientation requires careful preoperative assessment to determine the suitability of pedicle screw insertion.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Stabilizing properties of the halo apparatus.

STUDY DESIGN: A cadaveric cervical spine specimen fixed between a fiberglass torso and a plastic skull was used as a model to determine the effect of halo structural parameters on motion at a lesion simulated at C5-C6. In a second part, nine commercially available halo devices were compared. OBJECTIVES: To define the contributions of the various components of the halo apparatus to reducing motion in an injured cervical spine and to compare the stability offered by a sample of commercially available halo devices. Controversy exists concerning the ability of the halo apparatus to stabilize the injured cervical spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The halo apparatus has been shown to be the most effective nonsurgical method for stabilizing the fractured spine. Nonetheless, several clinical studies have demonstrated that unacceptably large motions can occur at the injured spinal segment stabilized with a halo apparatus. METHODS: Each cadaveric cervical spine was mounted onto a fiberglass torso and a rigid plastic skull was attached to the base of the occiput. A posterior ligamentous lesion was created between C5 and C6. The halo ring was fitted to the skull and a vest to the torso. Loads were applied to the skull in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, and relative angulation between C5 and C6 was measured with electroinclinometers. In the first part, the effect of parameters such as vest tightness, vest-thorax friction, vest deformation, and connecting bar rigidity on spinal angulation were measured using one vest. In the second part, the stability offered by each of nine commercially available halo devices was compared. RESULTS: Increasing chest strap tightness and decreasing vest deformation reduced angulation at the spinal lesion. Once connecting bar joints were tightened to 25% of their recommended torque, increased tightening or adding additional bars had no effect on rigidity. Although specific vests permitted significantly greater motion in specific directions, no vest allowed greater angulation consistently in all loading planes. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing vest tightness, decreasing the deformability of the vest, and ensuring a good fit can reduce motion in the fractured spine. Most commercially available halo vests provide similar mechanical stability to the injured cervical spine.

Biomechanical Phenomena