THE INFLUENCE OF GROWTH BLOCKING OF THE NEUROCENTRAL CARTILAGES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPINAL CANAL: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN PIGS

Summary StatementBilaretal epiphysiodesis of he neurocentral cartilages causes shortening of the sagittal length of the pedicles and a subsequent spinal stenosis at the operated segments, resembling that found in patients with achrondroplasia.IntroductionThe introduction of pedicle screws in the immature spine may have implications for the growth of the vertebra. The effect of blocking the growth of neurocentral cartilage (NC) is not yet fully defined. Block hypothetically leads to a bilateral symmetrical alteration of the vertebral growth. Using an experimental animal model, our goal is to analyze if a bilateral epiphysiodesis of the NC using pedicle screws is able to induce narrowing of the spinal canal in the thoracolumbar spine.Experimental animals and MethodsA total of 24 domestic pigs were operated on by bilateral blocking of the NC using pedicle screws. The animals were divided into 4 groups depending on the level of blockage: A, low thoracic levels; B, thoracolumbar transitional hinge; C, upper lu...