Aplication of the stereolithography technique in complex spine surgery

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2007 Jun;65(2B):443-5. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2007000300015.

Abstract

Many techniques have been proposed for surgical training as a learning process for young surgeons or for the simulation of complex procedures. Stereolithograpfy, a rapid prototyping technique, has been presented recently as an option for these purposes. We describe the case of a 12 years old boy, diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in the cervical spine. After a surgical simulation accomplished in the prototype, built by stereolithography, the patient was submitted to a C4 corpectomy and to a C4 and C3 laminectomy with anterior and posterior fixation, a non intercurrence procedure. This technique is an innovative and complementary tool in diagnosis and therapy. As a result, it is easier for the surgeon to understand the complexity of the case and plan the approach before any surgical procedure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Child
  • Computer-Aided Design*
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Laminectomy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Models, Anatomic*
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / surgery*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome