髂骨不同置钉方式在腰-髂重建结构中稳定性的生物力学研究

目的 评价髂骨单枚短钉、单枚长钉和双枚短钉技术对腰-髂固定结构稳定性的生物力学影响.方法 7具成人新鲜尸体L_(2-)骨盆标本用于实验.于L_(3-5)间行椎弓根钉固定,并将该结构定义为本研究的完整状态.完整状念测试后,制作骶骨全切的失稳模型,并进行三种髂骨钉技术的L_(3-)髂骨间钉-棒稳定重建,A组:双侧单枚髂骨短钉;B组:双侧单枚髂骨长钉;C组:双侧双枚髂骨短钉.三种髂骨置钉技术均在同一标本上按随机顺序建立,短钉和长钉的长度分别为70 mm和130 mm.在MTS材料实验机上,给标本施加800 N压缩和7 N·m扭转载荷,记录L_(3-)髂骨间的结构刚度并比较.结果 A、B、C组的结构压缩刚度分别是完整状态的73%、76%和108%,A组与B组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),然而A和B组的结构压缩刚度低于完整状态和C组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05). A、B、C组的结构扭转刚度分别占初始状态的72%、79%和109%,A、B两组间、完整状态与C组间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);但是,A、B组的结构扭转刚度低于完整状态和C组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论骶骨完全切除后,单枚髂骨长钉难以恢复局部的初始稳定性,双侧双枚髂骨短钉在抗压缩和扭转方面均显著高于双侧单枚髂骨钉结构,并且可获得与初始状态同等的稳定性.     

髂骨钉置入深度对腰椎-骨盆重建结构的生物力学影响

目的 比较髂骨长钉和短钉对腰椎-骨盆重建结构的生物力学影响.方法 7具成年防腐尸体L3-骨盆标本用于实验.使用脊柱椎弓根钉后路系统对L4-S1椎间活动度进行固定,并将这一状态定义为骶髂关节完整状态.完整状态测试后,将骶骨全部切除,联合髂骨钉行L4-L5-骨盆的稳定重建.根据髂骨钉置入长度顺序分为短钉组和长钉组.其中短钉长度定义为过坐骨切迹水平2 mm,长钉长度定义为穿透髂前下棘前方皮质2 mm.在858型MTS材料实验机上,给标本施加800N轴向压缩和7 Nm轴向旋转载荷后,行髂骨钉轴向拔出实验,记录压缩和旋转刚度、最大拔出力,并加以分析.结果 髂骨短钉和长钉的置入长度分别为(70±2)mm和(138±4)mm.髂骨短钉和长钉的重建结构,在压缩实验中分别获得脊柱.骨盆间初始刚度的53.3%±13.6%和57.6%±16.2%;在旋转实验中,分别恢复脊柱-骨盆间初始刚度的55.1%±11.9%和62.5%±9.2%;长钉和短钉结构间的压缩和旋转刚度均无显著差异(P>0.05);但是,两者的轴向压缩及旋转刚度均显著低于完整状态组(P<0.05).髂骨长钉的最大拔出力显著高于髂骨短钉(P<0.05).结论 在生理载荷下,髂骨短钉的脊柱-骨盆重建结构可获得与髂骨长钉同等的力学稳定性;髂骨短钉的置入深度仅为长钉的一半,可降低置入的风险.但是,无论髂骨长钉或短钉的脊柱.骨盆重建装置均难以恢复局部的初始稳定性.     

骶骨部分切除对骶髂关节生物力学的影响

目的:评价骶骨部分切除对骶髂关节生物力学的影响;明确骶骨切除范围与稳定重建的关系.方法:7具成人尸体L5-骨盆标本;分别在完整状态、S2以下切除(A组)、1/2 S2以下切除(B组)、S1以下切除(C组)、1/2 S1以下切除(D组)、右侧骶髂关节切除(E组)等情况下通过858型MTS材料实验机给标本施加800N轴向压缩和7Nm轴向扭转载荷;记录完整状态及残留骶髂关节刚度;比较各组间的差异.结果:轴向压缩时;A组～E组残留骶髂关节刚度分别是完整状态组的98.7%、97.1%、94.4%、82.9%和55.2%;完整状态组、A组、B组和C组间的压缩刚度无显著性差异;D组和E组的轴向压缩刚度显著低于完整状态组.轴向旋转时;A组～E组残留骶髂关节刚度分别为完整状态刚度的90.7%、88.5%、81.9%、71.9%和44.5%;完整状态组、A组和B组间的旋转刚度值无显著性差异;C组、D组和E组的轴向旋转刚度显著低于完整状态组和A组.结论:骶骨切除范围与骶髂关节稳定性相关.骶骨向上切除至S1将导致骶髂关节旋转失稳.切除至1/2 S1将进一步引起残留骶髂关节的轴向压缩失稳.骶骨切除超过上述范围时应考虑局部稳定性重建.     

L5/S1和骶髂关节对腰-髂固定稳定性影响的生物力学分析

目的:探讨L5/S1和骶髂关节对腰-髂固定稳定性的影响,为腰-髂稳定性理想重建提供生物力学依据.方法:7具成年新鲜尸体L2-骨盆标本,先行L3～L5椎弓根螺钉固定,并将此结构定义为腰-髂部稳定初始状态.初始状态测试后,在同一标本上实施连续性操作如下:使用髂骨钉的L3-髂骨固定(A组)、L5/S1双侧关节突关节切除(B组)、L5/S1椎间盘切除(C组)、左侧骶髂关节切除(D组).在MTS材料实验机上,给标本头侧分别施加600N轴向压缩和7Nm轴向扭转载荷,计算并比较各组结构压缩和扭转刚度.结果:初始状态组的压缩刚度值为(332±103)N/mm,A～D组腰-髂固定结构的压缩刚度分别为初始状态组的(122±15.5)％、(118.3±10.5)％、(81.1±7.7)％和(59.2±8.6)％.A和B组间无显著性差异(P＞0.05),两组的压缩刚度均显著高于初始状态组(P＜0.05);C组和D组的压缩刚度均显著低于A、B组及初始状态组(P＜0.05),C组和D组间的差异也具有显著性(P＜0.05).初始状态组的扭转刚度值为(2.47±0.88)Nm/deg,A～D组固定结构的扭转刚度分别为初始状态组的(128±14.3)％、(120±12.6)％、(78.4±13.2)％和(62.9±11.3)％,A组和B组获得同等的扭转刚度(P＞0.05),而且此两组的扭转刚度均显著高于初始状态、C组和D组(P＜0.05),C、D组和初始状态三组彼此间的差异均具有显著性(P＜0.05).结论:L5/S1椎间盘切除和单侧骶髂关节切除均显著降低腰-髂固定结构的稳定性,在腰-髂稳定性重建中,获得脊柱前方支撑和恢复骨盆环完整性是提高腰-髂固定结构稳定性的关键.     

脊柱单节段前中柱切除后不同节段椎弓根螺钉内固定的稳定性测试

目的:比较脊柱单节段前中柱切除后不同节段椎弓根螺钉内固定的稳定性,探讨单节段固定在前中柱病变手术中的可行性。方法:10具小牛新鲜脊柱标本(T10～L5),先测试完整状态下的运动范围(ROM),再模拟L1～L2前中柱病变切除手术:切除L1/2椎间盘和邻近终板共2cm高,行自体髂骨支撑植骨,后路依次用单节段短钉、单节段长钉、短节段和长节段椎弓根内固定系统进行固定,在不同固定方式下测试模型在轴向压缩、侧弯、屈伸和扭转方向上的ROM,计算相对运动范围(RROM)。结果:不同加载方向长节段固定组、短节段固定组的RROM均小于单节段短钉固定组和单节段长钉固定组(P0.05);单节段短钉固定组和单节段长钉固定组的RROM比较无显著性差异(P0.05);单节段短钉固定组和单节段长钉固定组的ROM均小于完整组(P0.05)。结论:小牛新鲜脊柱标本前中柱切除后植骨单节段椎弓根螺钉固定的稳定性低于短节段和长节段固定,但是高于完整状态;脊柱前中柱支撑植骨后,单节段短钉固定与单节段长钉固定的即刻稳定性相近。     

髂骨螺钉松动四种翻修技术的生物力学比较

目的:比较松质骨填塞钉道、增加螺钉长度、传统聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(polymethylmethacrylate,PMMA)强化钉道和外板开窗PMMA强化钉道四种方法翻修松动髂骨螺钉后的固定强度,探讨髂骨螺钉松动的理想补救手段。方法:8具成人防腐尸体骨盆标本,经双能X光吸收法测定骨密度后,将直径7.5mm髂骨短钉(长度为70mm)分别置入左右髂骨(A组),通过MTS材料实验机向螺钉尾部施加100～300N垂直循环载荷2000次后,测试髂骨螺钉的轴向拔出力。用松质骨紧密填塞两侧钉道后,在左侧钉道内置入短钉(B组),右侧钉道置入长度为100mm的髂骨长钉(C组),重复上述测试。将左侧钉道内注满PMMA后,再次置入髂骨短钉(D组);将另1枚髂骨短钉置入右侧钉道,以螺钉中点为中心沿螺钉轴线的髂骨外板处开窗,高度20mm、长度40mm、深度至内板皮质,灌注PMMA(E组);D组和E组重复上述测试。记录各组髂骨螺钉的轴向最大拔出力并进行比较。结果:8具标本的骨密度为0.75～0.91g/cm2,平均为0.85±0.05g/cm2。A～E组的最大拔出力分别为1174±542N、261±89N、769±317N、1954±623N和1820±659N,D组与E组比较无显著性差异(P0.05),D组与E组显著高于A、B和C组(P0.05),C组显著高于B组(P0.05),B组和C组显著低于A组(P0.05)。结论:松质骨填塞钉道和增加螺钉长度不能恢复髂骨螺钉的锚定强度;外板开窗PMMA强化和传统PMMA强化后置钉可使髂骨螺钉获得更高的锚定强度;从微创角度,外板开窗PMMA强化可能成为髂骨螺钉松动的理想补救手段。     

不同椎弓根螺钉固定及骨水泥强化方法在骨质疏松骶骨上锚定强度的比较

目的:通过比较不同椎弓根螺钉固定及骨水泥强化方法在骨质疏松骶骨上的锚定强度,探讨骶骨椎弓根螺钉松动后的理想补救技术.方法:应用11具成人新鲜骶骨标本,经骨密度测试确认为骨质疏松后,在同一骶骨标本上,依次建立5种骶骨螺钉固定模型,A组,单皮质椎弓根螺钉固定(左侧):B组,双皮质椎弓根螺钉固定(右侧);C组,PMMA钉道强化后单皮质椎弓根螺钉固定(建立于A组螺钉拔出后);D组,PMMA钉道强化后侧翼钉固定(右侧);E组,后凸成形技术支持下的PMMA强化后侧翼钉固定(左侧).应用MTS材料测试机进行轴向拔出测试,记录各种骶骨螺钉固定技术的最大拔出力并进行比较.结果:11具标本的骨密度为0.55～0.79g,cm~2,平均0.71±0.08g/cm~2.A～E组最大拔出力分别为508±128N、685±126N、846±230N、543±121N和702±144N.A组与D组间无显著性差异(P>0.05),且均显著低于B、C和E组(P<0.05);B组与E组间无显著性差异(P>0.05),但两组的拔出力均显著低于C组(P<0.05).结论:在骨质疏松患者的骶骨固定中,双皮质骶骨椎弓根钉较单皮质具有更高的锚定强度.骶骨椎弓根钉一旦发生松动,PMMA钉道强化和后凸成形技术支持下的PMMA强化后的侧翼钉固定均可成为理想的补救手段.     

髂骨钉在腰骶骨盆固定中的生物力学研究

目的 探讨髂骨钉与腰骶椎弓根钉连接技术在腰骶骨盆固定中的稳定性.方法 取6具新鲜冷藏的人尸体腰骶椎、骨盆标本,依次实施3种固定术式:①髂骨钉(B组);②L5 S1椎弓根钉棒系统(C组);③髂骨钉与L5椎弓根钉连接系统(D组).将上述三组分别与无固定组(A组)进行生物力学稳定性比较.结果 髂骨钉在腰骶骨盆固定中的稳定性最好,D组在各种运动状态下的活动度均明显减少,在6.4 Nm力矩下的三维运动度为:旋转(1.07±0.86)°、侧弯(0.95±0.47)、前屈(1.22±0.67)、后伸(1.80±0.73);与无固定组比较差异有非常显著性意义(P＜0.01).结论 应用髂骨钉与腰骶椎弓根钉连接技术是维持腰骶骨盆间稳定的理想术式.     

单枚椎间融合器并对侧经皮椎弓根螺钉固定的生物力学研究

目的对单枚融合器联合单侧钉棒系统固定的生物力学性能进行评价。方法5具新鲜小牛腰椎标本,建立以下力学模型：A组：双侧开窗＋双枚融合器置入＋双侧椎弓根钉棒固定;B组：单侧小关节切除＋单枚融合器斜向置入＋同侧椎弓根钉棒固定;C组：单侧开窗＋单枚融合器置入＋同侧椎弓根钉棒固定;D组：单侧开窗＋单枚融合器置入＋对侧椎弓根钉棒固定。在生物力学平台上测试各试验组在不同工况下的ROM值。结果A组的固定最稳固,各工况下ROM值最低。B组的前后抗弯ROM值与A组差异无显著性,其左右侧弯和旋转方向的稳定性较A组有所降低。与B组比较,D组的前后弯曲性能与B组差异无显著性,其左右侧弯方向的ROM低与B组。两组的抗旋转ROM值差异无显著性。C组的左右抗弯及抗旋转性能均差于B、D组。结论单枚椎间融合器联合对侧椎弓根钉棒固定是一种力学性能较为优良组合,可以替代单侧斜向融合器并同侧椎弓根钉棒技术用于下腰椎微创手术。     

引导通道辅助下经皮椎弓根置钉与传统经皮椎弓根置钉的比较

目的 :比较引导通道辅助下经皮椎弓根置钉与传统透视下经皮椎弓根置钉的手术时间、射线暴露时间和置钉准确性。方法:70例无神经症状的胸腰椎骨折患者,随机分为A、B两组,A组35患者采用传统透视下经皮置入椎弓根螺钉,共置入180枚椎弓根螺钉;B组35例患者采用引导通道辅助下经皮置入椎弓根螺钉,共置入178枚椎弓根螺钉,均由同一术者完成置钉。记录两组椎弓根置钉时间、射线暴露时间,术后连续2次复查手术节段CT对两组病例置钉准确性进行评估并分级。比较两组患者单枚椎弓根螺钉置钉时间、射线暴露时间和置钉准确性。结果:两组患者年龄、体重指数、合并疾病、骨折类型、性别比例均无统计学差异(P0.05)。A组单枚椎弓根螺钉平均置钉时间为14.11±3.32min,B组为11.35±2.82min,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.0042)。A组平均射线暴露时间为12.07±3.06s,B组为8.06±2.15s,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.0031)。A组155枚(86.11%)螺钉为A级置钉,23枚螺钉(12.78%)为B级置钉,1枚螺钉(0.56%)为C级置钉,1枚螺钉(0.56%)为D级置钉;B组156枚螺钉(87.64%)为A级置钉,20枚螺钉(11.24%)为B级置钉,1枚螺钉(0.56%)为C级置钉,1枚螺钉(0.56%)为D级置钉,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 :引导通道辅助下经皮椎弓根置钉与传统经皮椎弓根置钉具有相同的准确性,但能明显减少置钉时间及辐射暴露时间。     

Biomechanical advantages of dual over single iliac screws in lumbo-iliac fixation construct

The development of iliac screws has provided a markedly easier way for spino-pelvic instrumentation than the classical Galveston technique. However, high rates of iliac screw loosening and breakage are usually reported, especially in cases where bilateral single iliac screws are used. Therefore, there is a need for exploring more stable iliac fixation techniques. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical effects of bilateral single and dual iliac screws on the stability of L3-iliac fixation construct under total sacrectomy condition. In this study, L2-pelvic specimens were harvested from seven fresh human cadavers. After biomechanically testing the intact state simulated by L3-L5 pedicle screw fixation, destabilization was introduced by total sacrectomy. Upon destabilization, L3-iliac screw-rod reconstructions were performed by four different techniques as follows: (1) bilateral single short iliac screws (Single-Short); (2) bilateral single long iliac screws (Single-Long); (3) bilateral dual short iliac screws, placed in the upper and lower iliac columns (Dual-UL); and (4) bilateral dual short iliac screws, all placed in the lower iliac column (Dual-Lower). These four iliac screw fixation techniques were sequentially preformed in the same specimen, and the lengths of the short and long iliac screws were 70 and 130 mm, respectively. Biomechanical testing was performed on a material testing machine under 800 N compression and 7 Nm torsion loading modes to evaluate the construct stiffness. In compression, the stiffness of the L3-iliac fixation constructs of Single-Short, Single-Long, Dual-UL, and Dual-Lower techniques were 73, 76, 98, and 108% of the intact state, respectively. No significant differences were detected between Single-Short and Single-Long (P = 0.589) techniques. However, the compressive stiffness of these two techniques was significantly lower than the intact state, and the Dual-UL and Dual-Lower techniques (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the intact condition and the Dual-Lower technique (P = 0.109). Interestingly, Dual-Lower exhibited notably higher compressive stiffness than Dual-UL (+10.3%, P = 0.049). In torsion, the stiffness of Single-Short, Single-Long, Dual-UL, and Dual-Lower techniques were 72, 79, 105, and 109% of the intact condition, respectively. No significant differences were detected between Single-Short and Single-Long techniques (P = 0.338), and also among Dual-UL, Dual-lower techniques, and the intact state (P > 0.05). However, Single-Short and Single-Long techniques provided markedly lower construct torsional stiffness than the other three groups (P < 0.05). For lumbo-illiac reconstruction after total sacrectomy, even the use of bilateral single, long iliac screws do not help in restoring the local stability to the intact condition. However, dual iliac screws provide much higher construct stability than single iliac screw techniques. Therefore, dual iliac screw technique should be preferred for treating the unstable situation caused by total sacrectomy.     

Design and biomechanical study of a modified pedicle screw

Objective： In pedicle screw fixation, the heads of monoaxial screws need to be directed in the same straight line to accommodate the rod placement by backing out during operation, which decreases the insertional torque and internal fixation strength. While polyaxial screws facilitate the assembly of the connecting rod, but its ball-in-cup locking mechanism reduces the static compressive bending yield strength as compared with monoaxial screws. Our study aimed to assess the mechanical performance of a modified pedicle screw.
Methods： In this study, the tail of the screw body of the modified pedicle screw was designed to be a cylindershaped structure that well matched the inner wall of the screw head and the screw head only rotated around the cyclinder. Monoaxial screws, modified screws and polyaxial screws were respectively assembled into 3 groups ofvertebrectomy models simulated by ultra high molecular weight polyethylene （UHMWPE） blocks. This model was developed according to a standard for destructive mechanical testing published by the American Society for Testing Materials （ASTM F1717-04）. Each screw design had 6 subgroups, including 3 for static tension, load compression and torsion tests, and the rest for dynamic compression tests. In dynamic tests, the cyclic loads were 25%, 50%, and 75% of the compressive bending ultimate loads respectively. Yield load, yield ultimate load, yield stiffness, torsional stiffness, cycles to failure and modes of failure for the 3 types of screws were recorded. The results of modified screws were compared with those ofmonoaxial and polyaxial screws.
Results： In static tests, results of bending stiffness, yield load, yield torque and torsional stiffness indicated no significant differences between the modified and monoaxial screws （P〉0.05）, but both differed significantly from those ofpolyaxial screws （P〈0.05）. In dynamic compression tests, both modified and monoaxial screws showed failures that occurred at the insertion point of screw body into the UHMWPE block, while the polyaxial screw group showed screw body swung up and down the screw head because of loosening of the ball-in-cup mechanism.
Conclusions： The modified screw is well-designed and biomechanically improved. And it can provide sufficient stability for segment fixation as monoaxial screws.     

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion using posterolateral placement of a single cylindrical threaded cage

STUDY DESIGN: An in vitro biomechanical study of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with threaded cages was performed on 18 bovine lumbar functional spinal units. OBJECTIVES: To compare the segmental stiffness among PLIF with a single long posterolateral cage, PLIF with a single long posterolateral cage and simultaneous facet joint fixation, and PLIF with two posterior cages. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In most cases, PLIF with threaded cage techniques needs bilateral facetectomy, extensive exposure, and retraction of the cauda equina. Posterior element deficiency is detrimental to postoperative segmental stiffness. METHODS: All specimens were tested intact and with cage insertion. Group 1 (n = 12) had a long threaded cage (15 x 36 mm) inserted posterolaterally and oriented counter anterolaterally on the left side by posterior approach with left unilateral facetectomy. Group 2 (n = 6) had two regular-length cages (15 x 24 mm) inserted posteriorly with bilateral facetectomy. Six specimens from Group 1 were then retested after unilateral facet joint screw fixation in neutral (Group 3). Similarly, the other six specimens from Group 1 were retested after fixation with a facet joint screw in an extended position (Group 4). Nondestructive tests were performed in pure compression, flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torsion. RESULTS: The PLIF procedure involving a single cage (Group 1) had a significantly higher stiffness than PLIF with two cages (Group 2) in left and right torsion (P < 0.05). Group 1 had higher stiffness values than Group 2 in pure compression, flexion, and left and right bending, but differences were not significant. Group 3 had a significant increase in stiffness in comparison with Group 1 for pure compression, extension, left bending, and right torsion (P < 0.05). For Group 4, the stiffness significantly increased in comparison with Group 1 for extension, flexion, and right torsion (P < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference between Groups 3 and 4, Group 4 had increased stiffness in extension, flexion, right bending, and torsion. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with a single posterolateral long threaded cage with unilateral facetectomy enabled sufficient decompression while maintaining most of the posterior elements. In combination with a facet joint screw, adequate postoperative stability was achieved.     

异体皮质骨板不同固定方式的生物力学比较

目的探讨异体皮质骨板采用不同固定方式的强度差异及机制。方法由南华大学解剖室提供的14具(男8具,女6具)尸体上取下股骨27根,X线排除骨病后,用游标卡尺测量,取各骨最细部分的直径,制作27个不稳定骨折模型,随机分成A、B、C组,每组9个,分别采用3种方式固定:A组:用2块大小为110mm×10mm×3mm异体皮质骨板嵌合固定;B组:用2块110mm×10mm×3mm异体皮质骨板和5枚骨螺钉固定;C组:用1块110mm×10mm×3mm骨板和5枚骨螺钉固定。分别进行生物力学实验,测试其压缩、弯曲及扭转刚度和极限载荷。结果不同固定方式显示不同的力学特征。A组的轴向刚度与B组相似,且高于C组,但抗弯和扭转刚度显著高于B、C两组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组的压缩、弯曲、扭转极限载荷分别为1.65±0.34kN,554.33±49.34N,7.78±0.82Nm;B组分别为1.12±0.37kN,428.00±37.40N,3.39±0.22Nm,两组比较有统计学意义(P<0.05),而C组分别为0.71±0.46kN,218.67±36.53N,1.74±0.12Nm,与A组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论异体皮质骨板固定的强度与固定方式有关。双板嵌合固定比骨板骨螺钉固定具有更大的强度和刚度,可满足临床需要。     

Biomechanical properties of anterior thoracolumbar multisegmental fixation: an analysis of construct stiffness and screw-rod strain

STUDY DESIGN: Three types of anterior thoracolumbar multisegmental fixation were biomechanically compared in construct stiffness and rod-screw strain. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of rod diameter and rod number on construct stiffness and rod-screw strain in anterior thoracolumbar multisegmental instrumentation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No studies have been undertaken to investigate the biomechanical effects of rod diameter and rod number in thoracolumbar anterior instrumentation. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen calf spines (T13-L5) were used. After intact analysis, a total discectomy and transection of the ALL and PLL were performed at L1-L2, L2-L3, and L3-L4 with intervertebral reconstruction using carbon fiber cages. Three types of anterior fixation were then performed at L1-L4: 1) 4.75-mm diameter single-rod, 2) 4.75-mm dual-rod, and 3) 6.35-mm single-rod systems. Single screws at each vertebra were used for single-rod and two screws for dual-rod fixation. These systems share the same basic design except rod diameter. Nondestructive biomechanical testing was performed and included compression, torsion, flexion-extension, and lateral bending. Construct stiffness and rod-screw strain of the three reconstructions were compared. RESULTS: The 6.35-mm single-rod fixation significantly improved construct stiffness compared with the 4.75-mm single rod fixation only under torsion (P < 0.05). The 4. 75-mm dual rod construct resulted in significantly higher stiffness than did both single-rod fixations (P < 0.05), except under compression. No statistical differences were observed in rod-screw strain between the two types of single rods, whereas dual-rod reconstruction exhibited less rod-screw strain (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For single-rod fixation, increased rod diameter neither markedly improved construct stiffness nor affected rod-screw strain, indicating the limitations of a single-rod system. In thoracolumbar anterior multisegmental instrumentation, the dual-rod fixation provides higher construct stiffness and less rod-screw strain compared with single-rod fixation.     

Polyaxial Locking and Compression Screws Improve Construct Stiffness of Acetabular Cup Fixation: A Biomechanical Study

Bone ingrowth into uncemented acetabular components requires intimate cup-bone contact and rigid fixation, which can be difficult to achieve in revision hip arthroplasty. This study compares polyaxial compression locking screws with non-locked and cancellous screw constructs for acetabular cup fixation. An acetabular cup modified with screw holes to provide both compression and angular stability was implanted into a bone substitute. Coronal lever out, axial torsion and push-out tests were performed with an Instron testing machine, measuring load versus displacement. Polyaxial locking compression screws significantly improved construct stiffness compared with non-locked or cancellous screws. This increased construct stiffness will likely reduce interfacial micromotion. Further research is required to determine whether this will improve bone ingrowth in vivo and reduce cup failure.     

Segmental pedicle screw fixation or cross-links in multilevel lumbar constructs. a biomechanical analysis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The placement of segmental pedicle screws and cross-links in short segment posterior pedicle screw constructs has been shown to increase the construct stiffness in some planes. To date, no studies have looked at the contributions of segmental pedicle screw and cross-link placement in longer constructs. PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of segmental pedicle screw and/or cross-link placement on flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial torsion stiffness in two- and three-level posterior pedicle screw fixation constructs. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: An in vitro biomechanical analysis of two- and three-level posterior pedicle screw constructs with and without segmental fixation and/or cross-links was performed using calf lumbar spines. Stiffness of the constructs was compared. METHODS: Six calf lumbar specimens were used to test stiffness in one-, two- and three-level posterior pedicle screw fixation constructs in 12 configurations. A custom-made, four-axis spine simulator applied pure cyclical (+/-5 Nm) flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial torsion moments at 0.1 Hz under a constant 50-N axial compressive load. The stiffness of each construct was calculated about each axis of rotation. Data were analyzed using nonparametric techniques with statistical significance determined at alpha less than .05. RESULTS: The stiffness of the instrumented spines were significantly greater than the noninstrumented intact spines in all loading conditions for one-, two- and three-level constructs. There were no significant changes in flexion/extension stiffness with the addition of either the cross-links or the segmental pedicle screws. In lateral bending, the addition of segmental pedicle screws significantly increased the stiffness in the two- and three-level constructs. The addition of two cross-links increased lateral bending stiffness in the longer three-level constructs, with little change in the two-level constructs. In axial torsion, the progressive addition of cross-links showed a tendency toward increased stiffness in both the two- and three-level constructs. Segmental pedicle screws further increased torsional stiffness of the longer, three-level constructs. CONCLUSIONS: As the use of segmental spinal instrumentation progresses from one to two and three levels, the contribution of cross-links and segmental pedicle screws to the overall construct stiffness increases.     

新型经皮椎弓根螺钉系统的设计与生物力学测试

目的 评估新型经皮椎弓根螺钉系统设计的合理性和临床操作可行性.方法 取6具经甲醛处理的完整尸体标本,模拟临床手术操作安放新型经皮椎弓根螺钉系统(A组),以传统经皮椎弓根螺钉系统为对照(B组).应用新型经皮椎弓根螺钉系统在新鲜小牛腰椎压缩性骨折模型上行撑开操作.分别以单向螺钉、改良螺钉和万向螺钉跨节段固定骨折,测量固定节段的三维稳定性.结果 A组平均手术时间(38.2±6.20)min,B组(56.4±12.8)min,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).A组螺钉位置优良率91.7%,B组95.8%,差异无统计学意义.新型椎弓根螺钉系统对三种螺钉均具有良好的撑开功能,改良螺钉和单向螺钉主要撑开椎体前柱,两者差异无统计学意义;万向螺钉主要撑开椎体中、后柱,对前柱撑开效果较其他两种螺钉差(P<0.05).三组固定节段在完整状态和骨折状态的屈伸、左右侧弯及旋转运动范围无统计学差异.改良螺钉和单向螺钉固定后固定节段有相似的三维稳定性;万向螺钉屈伸稳定性较改良螺钉差(P<0.05),而侧弯和旋转稳定性与其他两组接近.结论 改良螺钉能有效撑开椎体前柱,螺钉-棒系统可对固定节段提供稳定性.新型经皮椎弓根螺钉系统具有临床操作可行性.