Comparison of Insertion of Implants in the Cervical Spine of Cats: Freehand and Guided by a 3D Patient-Specific Surgical Drilling Guide

Introduction: The use of a patient-specific drill guides reduces potentially the chance of injury to neurovascular structures. In view of this, this study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of implant insertion in the cervical spine of cats, using or not a 3D printed patient-specific guide.

Materials and Methods: Ten cadavers of cats were divided into two groups: Freehand Group (FHG) and Surgical Guide Group (SGG). The specimens underwent computed tomography (CT) and the generated images were sent for making 3D patient-specific drilling guides. In both groups, titanium pins were placed in the C5 and C6 vertebral bodies. Afterward, the cadavers underwent again to a new CT to assess and compare the accuracy of both techniques.

Results: In the SGG, there was a statistical difference for the angles before and after implantation. In the FHG, there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-implantation angles, indicating that the virtual measurement of the angulations was statistically similar to the real ones.

Discussion/Conclusion: Although there was a statistical difference in the values in the SGG, the post-treatment tomographic evaluation did not demonstrate the presence of implants entering the medullary canal, transverse foramina, or the vertebral artery, implying that, in a practical way, the Results were favourable for the use of the patient-specific guide concerning its safety.

Acknowledgement: This study was funded and supported by FAPESP—Brazil (2020/04404–2).

Publication History

Article published online:
26 October 2022