Enhanced spino-pelvic fixation for segmental spinal instrumentation: a preliminary biomechanical evaluation

A new method for spino-pelvic fixation of Luque rods was developed and biomechanically evaluated on cadaveric specimens. The technique is surgically simpler and faster than the Galveston technique because it does not require the complex three-dimensional bending of rods to conform to the medullary cavity of the iliac wings. Spines were tested in axial compression in both bilateral and unilateral ischial weight bearing in the intact condition, instrumented with the new technique, and instrumented with the Galveston technique. Compared to the intact spine, the technique increased bilateral average stiffness by 131% and unilateral average stiffness by 192%. Compared directly to the Galveston technique, the new method exhibited increased average stiffness of 15% in bilateral and 11% in unilateral ischial weight bearing. The new method combines the advantages of a simpler and faster surgical procedure than the Galveston technique with enhanced spino-pelvic fixation with the potential to decrease migration of rods relative to each other and the pelvis.