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A multi-level rapid prototyping drill guide template reduces the perforation risk of pedicle screw placement in the lumbar and sacral spine

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The method of free-hand pedicle screw placement is generally safe although it carries potential risks. For this reason, several highly accurate computer-assisted systems were developed and are currently on the market. However, these devices have certain disadvantages. We have developed a method of pedicle screw placement in the lumbar and sacral region using a multi-level drill guide template, created with the rapid prototyping technology and have validated it in a clinical study. The aim of the study was to manufacture and evaluate the accuracy of a multi-level drill guide template for lumbar and first sacral pedicle screw placement and to compare it with the free-hand technique under fluoroscopy supervision.

Materials and methods

In 2011 and 2012, a randomized clinical trial was performed on 20 patients. 54 screws were implanted in the trial group using templates and 54 in the control group using the fluoroscopy-supervised free-hand technique. Furthermore, applicability for the first sacral level was tested. Preoperative CT-scans were taken and templates were designed using the selective laser sintering method. Postoperative evaluation and statistical analysis of pedicle violation, displacement, screw length and deviation were performed for both groups.

Results

The incidence of cortex perforation was significantly reduced in the template group; likewise, the deviation and displacement level of screws in the sagittal plane. In both groups there was no significantly important difference in deviation and displacement level in the transversal plane as not in pedicle screw length. The results for the first sacral level resembled the main investigated group.

Conclusions

The method significantly lowers the incidence of cortex perforation and is therefore potentially applicable in clinical practice, especially in some selected cases. The applied method, however, carries a potential for errors during manufacturing and practical usage and therefore still requires further improvements.

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Acknowledgments

Each author certifies that he has no commercial or any other associations that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. The authors would like to thank the Department of Radiology in UMC Maribor, Slovenia, for assistance with the CT data scanning and collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UKC Maribor, Ljubljanska ulica 5, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia

    Matjaz Merc, Matjaz Vogrin & Gregor Recnik

  2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia

    Igor Drstvensek & Tomaz Brajlih

Authors
  1. Matjaz Merc
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  2. Igor Drstvensek
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  3. Matjaz Vogrin
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  4. Tomaz Brajlih
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  5. Gregor Recnik
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Correspondence to Matjaz Merc.

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Merc, M., Drstvensek, I., Vogrin, M. et al. A multi-level rapid prototyping drill guide template reduces the perforation risk of pedicle screw placement in the lumbar and sacral spine. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 133, 893–899 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1755-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1755-0

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