Spinal biomodeling

Study Design. A prospective trial of stereolithographic biomodeling in, com plex spinal surgery. Objectives. To investigate the use of stereolithographic biomodeling as an aid to complex spinal surgery, Summary of Background Data. Of the array of imaging methods available to as sist the spinal surgeon, no single method provides a complete overview of t he anatomy, although three-dimensional imaging has been shown to have advan tages. Methods. Stereolithographic biomodeling is a new technology that allows dat a from three-dimensional computed tomographic scans to be used to generate exact plastic replicas of anatomic structures. Five patients with complex d eformities were selected: two children with congenital deformities, a patie nt with an osteoblastoma, a patient with basilar invagination caused by ost eogenesis imperfecta, and a patient with a failed lumbar fusion. Computed t omographic scanning was performed and stereolithographic biomodels generate d. The stereolithographic biomodels were used for patient education, operat ive planning, and surgical navigation. Results. The surgeons reported that biomodeling was useful in complex spina l surgery and was an effective technology. Stereolithographic biomodels wer e found to be particularly useful in morphologic assessment, in the plannin g and rehearsal of surgery, for intraoperative navigation, and for informin g patients about surgical procedures. Conclusions. Stereolithographic biomodeling allows imaging data to be displ ayed in a physical form. This intuitive medium may improve data display and allows surgical simulation on a proxy of the surgical site. Drawbacks of t he technology were a minimum 24 hours' manufacturing time and the cost.