A Safe, Effective, and Economical Protocol for Rabbit Vertebral Screw Insertion

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Posterior lumbar screw fixation is a common treatment for lumbar disc herniation.
• Postoperative complications, including screw track loosening and extrusion, pose significant risks.
• Existing animal models do not adequately address screw track loosening after lumbar fixation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, cost-effective animal model for studying posterior lumbar screw fixation.
• To create a model that minimizes the risk of spinal cord injury during screw insertion.
• To provide a platform for investigating screw track loosening and the periscrew microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• A vertebral screw insertion technique was developed using New Zealand white rabbits.
• The entry point was defined at the intersection of the transverse process's upper edge and the pedicle.
• Specific insertion angles (45°-55° outward, 20°-40° downward) and direct visualization were employed.

Main Results:

• A reproducible and cost-effective method for lumbar screw insertion in rabbits was established.
• The technique successfully minimized the risk of intraoperative screw penetration into the spinal canal.
• The model allows for direct observation and analysis of the screw track post-insertion.

Conclusions:

• This New Zealand white rabbit model offers a valuable tool for studying screw track loosening after lumbar fixation.
• The method is simpler and more cost-effective than existing large animal models.
• It facilitates basic research into the mechanisms of screw loosening and associated periscrew changes.