Open AccessPatient-specific 3D-printed surgical guides for pedicle screw insertion: comparison of different guide design approaches
Author(s) -
Aida Ribera-Navarro,
Ravikiran Shenoy,
Gregory Cunningham,
Vejay Vakharia,
Alexander Gibson,
Mehran Moazen,
Deepak M. Kalaskar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of 3d printing in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2059-4763
pISSN - 2059-4755
DOI - 10.2217/3dp-2021-0002
Subject(s) - cadaveric spasm , 3d printed , spinal deformity , 3d printer , medicine , orthodontics , biomedical engineering , surgery , deformity , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering
Aim: Patient-specific 3D-printed guides for pedicle screw insertion in spinal deformity surgery offer an alternative to image-guided, robotic and free-hand methods. Different design features can impact their accuracy and clinical applicability. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of three different guide designs with the nonguided free-hand technique. Materials & methods: 3D-printed guides were design and tested using anatomical models of human spines and porcine cadaveric specimens. Three different guided groups (low, medium and full contact) and one nonguided group was formed. Results & conclusion: The design approach affected level of accuracy of screw placement. A variability in terms of accuracy of screw insertion between surgeon’s experience using nonguided/guided techniques was also observed, suggesting benefit for junior surgeons in improving surgical accuracy.