ArticleJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2023
Biomechanical effects of transverse connectors on total en bloc spondylectomy of the lumbar spine: a finite element analysis.
Article in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Biomechanical Effects of Two Types of 3D-Printed Prosthesis Reconstruction After Single-Segmental Total En Bloc Spondylectomy: A Finite Element Analysis.Orthopaedic surgery · 2026Article
- The roof technique in the treatment of bone tumors of the spine. A ten years' experience.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026Article
- Application of deformity principles in the management of spinal neoplasms: A Primer.North American Spine Society journal · 2025Article
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe influence of total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) on spinal stability is substantial, necessitating strong fixation to restore spinal stability. The transverse connector (TC) serves as a posterior spinal instrumentation that connects the left and right sides of the pedicle screw-rod system. Several studies have highlighted the potential of a TC in enhancing the stability of the fixed segments. However, contradictory results have suggested that a TC not only fails to improve the stability of the fixed segments but also might promote stress associated with internal fixation. To date, there is a lack of previous research investigating the biomechanical effects of a TC on TES. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical effects of a TC on internal fixation during TES of the lumbar (L) spine.
methodsA single-segment (L3 segment) TES was simulated using a comprehensive L spine finite element model. Five models were constructed based on the various positions of the TC, namely the intact model (L1-sacrum), the TES model without a TC, the TES model with a TC at L1-2, the TES model with a TC at L2-4, and the TES model with a TC at L4-5. Mechanical analysis of these distinct models was conducted using the Abaqus software to assess the variations in the biomechanics of the pedicle screw-rod system, titanium cage, and adjacent endplates.
resultsThe stability of the surgical segments was found to be satisfactory across all models. Compared with the complete model, the internal fixation device exhibited the greatest constraint on overextension (95.2-95.6%), while showing the least limitation on left/right rotation (53.62-55.64%). The application of the TC had minimal effect on the stability of the fixed segments, resulting in a maximum reduction in segment mobility of 0.11° and a variation range of 3.29%. Regardless of the use of a TC, no significant changes in stress were observed for the titanium cage. In the model without the TC, the maximum von Mises stress (VMS) for the pedicle screw-rod system reached 136.9 MPa during anterior flexion. Upon the addition of a TC, the maximum VMS of the pedicle screw-rod system increased to varying degrees. The highest recorded VMS was 459.3 MPa, indicating a stress increase of 335.5%. Following the TC implantation, the stress on the adjacent endplate exhibited a partial reduction, with the maximum stress reduced by 27.6%.
conclusionThe use of a TC in TES does not improve the stability of the fixed segments and instead might result in increased stress concentration within the internal fixation devices. Based on these findings, the routine utilisation of TC in TES is deemed unnecessary.
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