[Three-dimensional finite element modeling and biomechanical simulation for evaluating and improving postoperative internal instrumentation of neck-thoracic vertebral tumor en bloc resection].
OBJECTIVE
To employ three-dimensional finite element modeling and biomechanical simulation for evaluating the stability and stress conduction of two postoperative internal fixed modeling-multilevel posterior instrumentation ( MPI) and MPI with anterior instrumentation (MPAI) with neck-thoracic vertebral tumor en bloc resection.


METHODS
Mimics software and computed tomography (CT) images were used to establish the three-dimensional (3D) model of vertebrae C5-T2 and simulated the C7 en bloc vertebral resection for MPI and MPAI modeling. Then the statistics and images were transmitted into the ANSYS finite element system and 20N distribution load (simulating body weight) and applied 1 N · m torque on neutral point for simulating vertebral displacement and stress conduction and distribution of motion mode, i. e. flexion, extension, bending and rotating.


RESULTS
With a better stability, the displacement of two adjacent vertebral bodies of MPI and MPAI modeling was less than that of complete vertebral modeling. No significant differences existed between each other. But as for stress shielding effect reduction, MPI was slightly better than MPAI.


CONCLUSIONS
From biomechanical point of view, two internal instrumentations with neck-thoracic tumor en bloc resection may achieve an excellent stability with no significant differences. But with better stress conduction, MPI is more advantageous in postoperative reconstruction.
Zhao
Z
Qinghua
Li
L
Jipeng
Zhang
Z
Yongxing
Liang
L
He
Wang
W
Xuepeng
Yan
Y
Peng
Wu
W
Xiaofeng
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed