Qinjie Ling1, Erxing He2, Hanbin Ouyang1, Jing Guo2, Zhixun Yin2, Wenhua Huang3. 1. Institute of Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, 510515, China. 2. Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang West Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China. 3. Institute of Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, 510515, China. 13822232749@139.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To introduce a new surgical approach to the multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) aided by three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. METHODS: A multilevel OLF patient (male, 66 years) was scanned using computed tomography (CT). His saved DICOM format data were inputted to the Mimics14.0 3D reconstruction software (Materialise, Belgium). The resulting 3D model was used to observe the anatomical features of the multilevel OLF area and to design the surgical approach. At the base of the spinous process, two channels were created using an osteotomy bilaterally to create a "V" shape to remove the bone ligamentous complex (BLC). The decompressive laminoplasty using mini-plate fixation was simulated with the computer. The physical model was manufactured using 3D printing technology. The patient was subsequently treated using the designed surgery. RESULT: The operation was completed successfully without any complications. The operative time was 90 min, and blood loss was 200 ml. One month after the operation, neurologic function was recovered well, and the JOA score was improved from 6 preoperatively to 10. Postoperative CT scanning showed that the OLF was totally removed, and the replanted BLC had not subsided. CONCLUSION: 3D printing technology is an effective, reliable, and minimally invasive method to design operations. The technique can be an option for multilevel OLF surgical treatment. This can provide sufficient decompression with minimum damage to the spine and other intact anatomical structures.
PURPOSE: To introduce a new surgical approach to the multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) aided by three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. METHODS: A multilevel OLF patient (male, 66 years) was scanned using computed tomography (CT). His saved DICOM format data were inputted to the Mimics14.0 3D reconstruction software (Materialise, Belgium). The resulting 3D model was used to observe the anatomical features of the multilevel OLF area and to design the surgical approach. At the base of the spinous process, two channels were created using an osteotomy bilaterally to create a "V" shape to remove the bone ligamentous complex (BLC). The decompressive laminoplasty using mini-plate fixation was simulated with the computer. The physical model was manufactured using 3D printing technology. The patient was subsequently treated using the designed surgery. RESULT: The operation was completed successfully without any complications. The operative time was 90 min, and blood loss was 200 ml. One month after the operation, neurologic function was recovered well, and the JOA score was improved from 6 preoperatively to 10. Postoperative CT scanning showed that the OLF was totally removed, and the replanted BLC had not subsided. CONCLUSION: 3D printing technology is an effective, reliable, and minimally invasive method to design operations. The technique can be an option for multilevel OLF surgical treatment. This can provide sufficient decompression with minimum damage to the spine and other intact anatomical structures.
Entities:
Keywords:
3D printing; Decompressive laminoplasty; Ossification of the ligamentum flavum
Authors: Barbara Leukers; Hülya Gülkan; Stephan H Irsen; Stefan Milz; Carsten Tille; Matthias Schieker; Hermann Seitz Journal: J Mater Sci Mater Med Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 3.896
Authors: Sheng Lu; Yuan Z Zhang; Zheng Wang; Ji H Shi; Yu B Chen; Xing M Xu; Yong Q Xu Journal: Med Biol Eng Comput Date: 2012-03-31 Impact factor: 2.602