Use of an ex vivo canine ventral slot model to test the efficacy of a piezoelectric cutting tool for decompressive spinal surgery. Issue 7 (5th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farrell, Michael; Solano, Miguel A.; Fitzpatrick, Noel; Jovanovik, Jelena
• Is Part Of: Veterinary surgery. Volume 42:Issue 7(2013)
• Page Start: 832
• Page End: 839
• Publication Date: 2013-08-05
• Subjects: Veterinary surgery -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; 636.0897
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2013.12051.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-3499

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="vsu12051-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To test the efficacy of a piezoelectric instrument (PI) for bone removal during ventral slot surgery.</p> </sec> <sec id="vsu12051-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Study Design</title> <p> <italic>Ex vivo</italic> feasibility study.</p> </sec> <sec id="vsu12051-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Sample Population</title> <p>Cadaveric canine cervical spinal specimens (n = 3; C1–7; C1–T1; C2–T1).</p> </sec> <sec id="vsu12051-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The spinal cord of each explanted spinal unit was replaced with a saline‐filled latex condom. In 8 disc spaces, ventral slot surgery was performed using a previously reported technique. Bone removal was achieved using a motorized burr (MB). In 8 disc spaces, bone was removed via en bloc ostectomy with a PI that selectively cuts mineralized tissue. Surgical duration and operating field visibility were recorded. Rupture of the fluid filled condom was used as a measure of iatrogenic collateral trauma. Computed tomography was used to measure ventral slot morphometry.</p> </sec> <sec id="vsu12051-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Mean surgical duration for PI (23.4 minutes) was significantly shorter than for MB (34.1 minutes; <italic>P</italic> = .049). Using a 4 point Likert scale (4 = excellent, 3 = good, 2 = fair, 1 = poor), median visibility score was significantly higher for PI (2) than for MB (1; <italic>P</italic> = .03). The condom burst twice (1MB, 1PI) during elevation of the dorsal longitudinal ligament; there was no significant difference between techniques for incidence of collateral trauma (<italic>P</italic> = .99). Regardless of surgical technique, there was a bias in slot deviation towards the right (i.e., the surgeon's left; <italic>P</italic> = .021).</p> </sec> <sec id="vsu12051-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The PI allowed completion of ventral slots in a significantly shorter time, without an increased incidence of iatrogenic trauma. The right‐handed surgeon showed a left‐sided aiming bias, regardless of surgical technique.</p> </sec> </abstract>