title: Biomechanical comparison of spinopelvic reconstruction techniques in the setting of total sacrectomy.
abstract: METHODS
  An in vitro biomechanical study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To biomechanically test and evaluate 4 different methods of spinopelvic reconstruction techniques and determine the most biomechanically stable construct for stabilization of the spinopelvic junction after total sacrectomy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Total sacrectomy is necessary to treat a sacral tumor when it involves the S1 vertebra. Instrumentation and reconstruction of the lumbar spine and pelvis are required after total sacrectomy and can be achieved by various reconstruction techniques. Currently, the preferred method of spinopelvic fixation is controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven human cadaveric (L1-pelvis) specimens were evaluated in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation in a total sacrectomy model. Test constructs included (1) intact; (2) double-rod, double iliac screw (DDS); (3) single-rod, single iliac screw (SSS); (4) double iliac screw (DIS) fixation; and (5) modified Galveston technique (MGT). A load control protocol with 7.0 Nm moments applied at a rate of 1.5°/s was used to establish range of motion values for each tested construct on a 6-df spine motion simulator. Data were analyzed and normalized to intact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All instrumented constructs offered significant stability in all loading conditions compared with the intact condition. Stability offered by different constructs in all loading conditions trended as follows: DDS>DIS>SSS>MGT. Overall, the DDS construct provided 55%, 43%, and 60% more stability than SSS, DIS, and MGT, respectively. This was significant in flexion-extension when compared with SSS and in all loading conditions when compared with MGT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the setting of total sacrectomy, the double-rod double iliac screw method provided the most rigid fixation, followed by DIS fixation, single-rod single screw, and the MGT. In spinopelvic reconstruction, the use of double iliac screws is recommended compared with single iliac screw fixation techniques when treating unstable conditions caused by total sacrectomy.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Stefan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mindea
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chinthakunta
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moldavsky
authors.forename: Manasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gudipally
authors.forename: Saif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khalil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery