BACKGROUND: Porcine spines are frequently used as an alternative to human specimens for spinal implant testing. Morphometric data of the normal porcine lumbar vertebrae are lacking at this time, yet these data are crucial for application to such studies. This study provides such a database and highlights the differences between porcine and human specimens. METHODS: All the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L6) from six adult (18-24 month old, 60-80 kg) male porcine spines were used in our study (n=36). A total of 15 anatomical parameters from each vertebra were measured by two observers. Linear parameters were measured using digital calipers. The mean, standard deviation and standard error of mean were calculated using Microsoft Excel. Results from our study were compared with available data on human vertebra. FINDINGS: Compared to the human vertebrae, there were several anatomical differences in the porcine thoracolumbar vertebrae including smaller end plate area, larger pedicles, taller and narrower vertebral bodies, narrower spinal canals and smaller spinous process lengths. INTERPRETATION: Our results provide a database of anatomical measurements for porcine lumbar vertebrae and highlight their differences with human vertebrae. Porcine vertebrae may be used as an alternative to human specimen if these differences are taken into account. Studies which involve testing implants such as interbody cages, disc replacements and pedicle screw-rod systems in porcine spines should match implant size appropriately.
BACKGROUND: Porcine spines are frequently used as an alternative to human specimens for spinal implant testing. Morphometric data of the normal porcine lumbar vertebrae are lacking at this time, yet these data are crucial for application to such studies. This study provides such a database and highlights the differences between porcine and human specimens. METHODS: All the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L6) from six adult (18-24 month old, 60-80 kg) male porcine spines were used in our study (n=36). A total of 15 anatomical parameters from each vertebra were measured by two observers. Linear parameters were measured using digital calipers. The mean, standard deviation and standard error of mean were calculated using Microsoft Excel. Results from our study were compared with available data on human vertebra. FINDINGS: Compared to the human vertebrae, there were several anatomical differences in the porcine thoracolumbar vertebrae including smaller end plate area, larger pedicles, taller and narrower vertebral bodies, narrower spinal canals and smaller spinous process lengths. INTERPRETATION: Our results provide a database of anatomical measurements for porcine lumbar vertebrae and highlight their differences with human vertebrae. Porcine vertebrae may be used as an alternative to human specimen if these differences are taken into account. Studies which involve testing implants such as interbody cages, disc replacements and pedicle screw-rod systems in porcine spines should match implant size appropriately.
Authors: Charles X B Yan; Benoît Goulet; Sean Jy-Shyang Chen; Donatella Tampieri; D Louis Collins Journal: Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg Date: 2011-11-24 Impact factor: 2.924
Authors: Charles X B Yan; Benoît Goulet; Julie Pelletier; Sean Jy-Shyang Chen; Donatella Tampieri; D Louis Collins Journal: Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg Date: 2010-10-26 Impact factor: 2.924
Authors: Mary H Foltz; Robert M O'Leary; Diana Reader; Nicholas L Rudolph; Krista A Schlitter; Jutta Ellermann; Casey P Johnson; David W Polly; Arin M Ellingson Journal: Spine Deform Date: 2020-05-24
Authors: Elisabeth C Engelke; Christina Post; Christiane D Pfarrer; Martin Sager; Helmut R Waibl Journal: J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci Date: 2016 Impact factor: 1.232
Authors: Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri; Dominic T Schomberg; Patricia Stan; Abhishek Chopra; Seah Buttar; Aleksandar Wood; Alexandra Radzin; Jennifer J Meudt; Daniel K Resnick; Dhanansayan Shanmuganayagam Journal: Ann Neurosci Date: 2018-07-24