Study design: An idealized biomechanical model.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of a construct designed to minimize intervertebral cage subsidence and maximize stiffness.
Summary of background data: Reconstruction after vertebral resection typically involves posterior segmental fixation and anterior interbody support. However, poor bone density, adjuvant radiation, or the oncologic need for endplate resection make interbody device subsidence and resultant instrumentation failure a significant concern.
Methods: An idealized thoracolumbar spondylectomy reconstruction model was constructed using titanium segmental instrumentation and Delrin plastic. In vivo mechanical stress was simulated on a custom multi-axis spine simulator. Rigid body position in space was measured using an optical motion-capture system. Cancellous subsidence was modeled using a 1 cm thick wafer of number 3 closed-cell Sawbones foam at one endplate. Ten foam specimens were tested in a control state consisting of posterior segmental fixation with a free interbody cage. Ten additional foam specimens were tested in the test state, with the Delrin interbody cage "connected" to the posterior rods using two additional pedicle screws placed into the cage. Foam indentation was quantified using a precision digital surface-mapping device, and subsidence volume calculated using geometric integration.
Results: The control group exhibited significantly greater foam indentation after cycling, with a mean subsidence volume of 1906 mm [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1810-2001] than the connected cage group subsidence volume of 977 mm (95% CI 928-1026 mm; P < 0.001]. Construct stiffness was greater in the connected cage group (3.1 Nm/degree, 95% CI 3.1-3.2) than in the control group (2.3 Nm/degree, 95% CI 2.2-2.4; P < 0.001).
Conclusion: In an idealized spondylectomy model, connecting the anterior column cage to the posterior instrumentation using additional pedicle screws results in a construct that is nearly 40% stiffer and exhibits 50% less cancellous subsidence compared with a traditional unconnected cage.
Level of evidence: N/A.