Minimally Invasive Intraoperative Stiffness Measurement of Lumbar Spinal Motion Segments

Krenn, M. H.; Ambrosetti-Giudici, S.; Pfenniger, Aloïs; Burger, J.; Piotrowski, W. P. (2008). Minimally Invasive Intraoperative Stiffness Measurement of Lumbar Spinal Motion Segments. Neurosurgery, 63(4), pp. 309-313. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 10.1227/01.NEU.0000335144.87931.A1

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OBJECTIVE: To test a new tiny-tipped intraoperative diagnostic tool that was designed to provide the surgeon with reliable stiffness data on the motion segment during microdiscectomy. A decrease in stiffness after nuclectomy and a measurable influence of muscle tension were assumed. If the influence of muscle tension on the motion segment could at least be ruled out, there should be no difference with regard to stiffness between women and men. If these criteria are met, this new intraoperative diagnostic tool could be used in further studies for objective decision-making regarding additional stabilization systems after microdiscectomy. METHODS: After evaluation of the influence of muscle relaxation during in vivo measurements with a spinal spreader between the spinous processes, 21 motion segments were investigated in 21 patients. Using a standardized protocol, including quantified muscle relaxation, spinal stiffness was measured before laminotomy and after nuclectomy. RESULTS: The decrease in stiffness after microdiscectomy was highly significant. There were no statistically significant differences between men and women. The average stiffness value before discectomy was 33.7 N/mm, and it decreased to 25.6 N/mm after discectomy. The average decrease in stiffness was 8.1 N/mm (24%). CONCLUSION: In the moderately degenerated spine, stiffness decreases significantly after microdiscectomy. Control for muscle relaxation is essential when measuring in vivo spinal stiffness. The new spinal spreader was found to provide reliable data. This spreader could be used in further studies for objective decision-making about additional stabilization systems after microdiscectomy.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

10 Strategic Research Centers > ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research > ARTORG Center - Cardiovascular Engineering (CVE) > ARTORG Center - Cardiovascular Engineering (Blood Vessel)
10 Strategic Research Centers > ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research > ARTORG Center - Cardiovascular Engineering (CVE)

UniBE Contributor:

Pfenniger, Aloïs

ISSN:

0148-396X

Publisher:

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Language:

English

Submitter:

Francesco Clavica

Date Deposited:

11 Jul 2014 10:17

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:33

Publisher DOI:

10.1227/01.NEU.0000335144.87931.A1

PubMed ID:

18981836

Additional Information:

Operative Neurosurgery Supplement 2

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/50101

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