Comparison between Freehand Implant Insertion and Patient-Specific Surgical Drill Guide in the Lumbar Spine of Cats

Introduction: This study aimed to obtain patient-specific surgical drill guides for the L4 and L5 vertebrae of feline cadavers, from computed tomography (CT) and 3D printing, for insertion of implants and comparison between freehand and guided by the surgical guide techniques.

Materials and Methods: Ten feline cadavers were divided into Surgical Guide Group (SGG) and Free Hand Group (FHG), for insertion of the implants. In the SGG, patient-specific surgical guides were created from CT images and 3D printing technique. After applying the implants, the cadavers underwent a new CT, and the images were evaluated through the RadiAnt software. The accuracy of the techniques was evaluated by measuring the implantation angles followed by the statistical analysis.

Results: The Results demonstrated that there was no difference between the use or no use of the patient-specific surgical guide. Although there was no significant difference between the Results using the guide or free hand, it is possible to predict that the guide was efficient, since the Results were similar to those intended in the previous planning.

Discussion/Conclusion: The authors consider that the guide facilitated the implantation of the pins, guaranteed a satisfactory result and promoted greater safety for the procedure.

Acknowledgement: The authors wish to acknowledge the Sao Paulo State Foundation – Fapesp (2020/04695–7).

Publication History

Article published online:
26 October 2022