title: Use of an ex vivo canine ventral slot model to test the efficacy of a piezoelectric cutting tool for decompressive spinal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the efficacy of a piezoelectric instrument (PI) for bone removal during ventral slot surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex vivo feasibility study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric canine cervical spinal specimens (n = 3; C1-7; C1-T1; C2-T1).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean surgical duration for PI (23.4 minutes) was significantly shorter than for MB (34.1 minutes; P = .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; P = .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 (P = .99). Regardless of surgical technique, there was a bias in slot deviation towards the right (i.e., the surgeon's left; P = .021).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Fitzpatrick Referrals, Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Solano
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jovanovik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D059745:Piezosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*