Aplication of the stereolithography technique in complex spine surgery.
Many techniques have been proposed for surgical training as a learning process for young surgeons or for the simulation of complex procedures. Stereolithograpfy, a rapid prototyping technique, has been presented recently as an option for these purposes. We describe the case of a 12 years old boy, diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in the cervical spine. After a surgical simulation accomplished in the prototype, built by stereolithography, the patient was submitted to a C4 corpectomy and to a C4 and C3 laminectomy with anterior and posterior fixation, a non intercurrence procedure. This technique is an innovative and complementary tool in diagnosis and therapy. As a result, it is easier for the surgeon to understand the complexity of the case and plan the approach before any surgical procedure.
University of São Paulo, São Paulo SP, Brazil. wellingsonpaiva@hotmail.com
Wellingson Silva
WS
Paiva
Robson
R
Amorim
Douglas Alexandre França
DA
Bezerra
Marcos
M
Masini
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome