PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Ana María, Morales-Codina
AU  - Juan Antonio, Martín-Benlloch
TI  - Sacral Prosthesis Substitution as a System of Spinopelvic Reconstruction After Total Sacrectomy: Assessment Using the Finite Element Method
AID  - 10.14444/8258
DP  - 2022 May 19
TA  - International Journal of Spine Surgery
PG  - 8258
4099  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2022/05/18/8258.short
4100  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2022/05/18/8258.full
AB  - Background Following total sacrectomy, the continuity between the spine and pelvis is necessary for ambulation and to enable patients to resume daily living activities sooner during rehabilitation. Reconstructing spinopelvic stability after a total sacrectomy is a challenge that has not yet been overcome. Thus, the objectives of the present study are as follows:Establish a new system of reconstructing the spinopelvic region after a total sacrectomy using a rapid prototyping technique to design the sacral replacement pieces.Evaluate the biomechanical properties of this system.Study a new reconstruction system for the spinopelvic joint that reduces reconstruction failures after total sacrectomy, reducing postoperative complications and allowing early sitting and standing of these patients.Methods A sacral replacement implant was designed according to an authentic clinical case of a patient who had undergone a total sacrectomy. Using the finite element method, a biomechanical study was carried of 2 reconstructions that had been performed using the new prosthetic. The results of the study were compared with 4 other reconstruction models.Results A maximum von Mises stress of 112 MPa and a vertical displacement of −0.13 mm in L5 were observed in the models of the sacral implant that had been generated. A maximum rigidity of 861.5 Nm/mm was observed in the models when assuming a reduction in rigidity of more than 85% with respect to the other models assessed. In all models, maximum tension was concentrated in the rods joining L5 with the screws anchored to the pelvis.Conclusions The sacral prosthesis substitution after a total sacrectomy produced a profound reduction in stress in the instrumentation and the bone structure as well as smaller vertical displacement, the lowest values ever reported. These results indicated that the assembly was rigid and stable and would prevent the collapse of the spine in the pelvis. According to stress values, the replacement piece was not likely to rupture as a consequence of static load or implant fatigue.Level of Evidence 5.