Comparison of powered Spine Shaver and conventional discectomy for TLIF: a randomized cadaver specimens study.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized, technical study in 7 samples from 2 cadavers.

OBJECTIVES

To compare transforaminal lumbar discectomies performed by 2 experienced surgeons using either the conventional technique or the new powered Spine Shaver (SS) instrument.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The SS was designed to offer an easier and safer procedure than the conventional technique.

METHODS

The 7 samples were randomly operated by the 2 surgeons. The conventional or SS techniques were randomly selected. The endplate cartilage was removed and photographed. The amounts of cartilage removed were measured through computer-based analysis software.

RESULTS

The number of instrument insertions was nearly 6-fold more frequent with the conventional technique (56.4) than with the SS (12.3). The volume of disk removed was approximately 50% higher with the SS (6.525 cm) than with the conventional technique (4.333 cm). The areas of cartilages removed were higher using the SS (2.297 cm) than with the conventional technique (2.1 cm). The endplate damages were 0.1 and 0.3 cm for the SS and conventional techniques, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The SS allows a better quality of preparation, and minimizes the risks of damaging surrounding structures related to multiple movements of manual tools.