Teaching model for intraoperative spinal sonography in spinal fractures. An experimental study

Area of Science:

• Spinal Surgery
• Medical Education
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Intraoperative sonography of the spinal canal is crucial for assessing vertebral fractures and spinal stenosis.
• Current training methods may not fully prepare surgeons for the complexities of sonographic procedures in spinal canal assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel teaching model for intraoperative sonography of the thoracolumbar spine.
• To assess the model's effectiveness in simulating spinal stenosis and relevant surgical preconditions for sonography.

Main Methods:

• Development of a thoracolumbar spine teaching model simulating vertebral fracture-induced spinal stenosis.
• Simulation of sonographic procedures for lesion detection and measurement.
• Practice of partial laminectomy and fixateur interne modifications.
• Validation of training outcomes using a cadaveric model.

Main Results:

• The teaching model facilitated high precision in sonographic localization and measurement of spinal canal stenosis, irrespective of surgical experience.
• Training outcomes demonstrated reliability when validated in a cadaveric model.
• The model effectively simulated key aspects of the surgical procedure, including partial laminectomy.

Conclusions:

• The developed thoracolumbar spine teaching model is an effective tool for improving intraoperative sonography skills.
• Expertise gained from the model is transferable and reliable for clinical application in spinal canal assessment.
• This innovative model enhances surgical training for spinal stenosis evaluation.