Zhengxi Yu, Guodong Zhang, Xuanhuang Chen, Xu Chen, Changfu Wu, Yijun Lin, Wenhua Huang, Haibin Lin


September 2017, Volume 26, Issue 9, pp 2348 - 2356 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-017-5118-3

First Online: 10 June 2017

Purpose

To develop and validate the efficacy and accuracy of a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) reconstructive rapid prototyping drill template for cervical pedicle screw placement.

Methods

CT thin-layer scans were obtained from 12 adult cadaveric cervical specimens and reconstructed. The ideal screw channels were chosen by analyzing the cross sections of the reconstructed 3D images. The navigation templates were designed and printed based on the optimal screw channels. The pedicle screws were placed on the cadaver specimens under template guidance, and the cadaver specimens were scanned and reconstructed. The pre- and post-operative models were compared. Entry point and exit point data of these two models were collected and compared using the Chi-square test.

Results

A total of 164 cervical pedicle screws were placed; among them, six punctured the cortical bone of the vertebral pedicle reaching an accuracy of 96.3%. Among the outside screws, all of the deviation distances were

Conclusion

The 3D CT reconstructive rapid prototyping drill template combined with the screw tunnel design based on 3D cutting technique can help facilitate accurate cervical pedicle screw insertion.


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