Establishment Of Animal Models For Lumbar Fusion And Experimental Study Of Biomechanics

Objective: (1)to establish animal models of anterior lumbar interbody (ALIF), 360°fusion(360° F) and posterolateral lumbar fusion(PLF) for biomechanical study.(2)to compare the fusion rates,histologic characteristics and radiographic accuracy in three established animal lumbar fusion models.(3)to study the biomechanical properties of fused segments and adjacent segments in three established animal lumbar fusion models. Methods: There are sixty New Zealand White rabbits in surgic groups and twelve in control group.The surgic groups underwent ALIF(n=15), PLF(n=15),and 360° F(n=30) at L5_L6 using autogenous iliac bone graft.Rabbits were killed at 4,8,12 weeks after operation.The spinal fusion were analyzed by radiography,manual palpation and mechanical testing or light microscopy.Each successful fusion specimen was test in six pure moments (flexion and extension,left and right lateral bending, left and right axial rotation)to determine the stability of fused segments and the range of motion(ROM) of adjacent segments.Results: Using manumal palpation testing as the standard by which to asses fusion,the fusion rate for different groups at 12 weeks was as...