Biomechanical study of KMC transspinous process wiring technique with Luque segmental spinal instrumentation

An in vitro experiment was designed to evaluate the mechanical properties of a new trans spinous process wiring method (KMC method) for segmental spinal instrumentation by using the goat spine model and double Luque L rods. Specimens were tested by a universal testing machine with the cyclic 3-point bending load. Instrumentation with Wisconsin trans spinous process button & wire system was also tested for comparison. The experimental results show no difference in maximal bending load between two methods, but the KMC method provided greater rigidity in forward bending and less incidence of wire breakage.