The aiming device for cervical distractor pin insertion: a proof-of-concept, feasibility study

Abstract Background Restoration of cervical lordosis after anterior discectomy and fusion is a desirable goal. Proper insertion the vertebral distraction or Caspar pin can assist lordotic restoration by either putting tips divergently parallel to index endplates. With inexperienced surgeons, traditional free-hand technique for may require multiple attempts that compromise body increase radiation exposure during localization. Our purpose perform proof-of-concept, feasibility study evaluate effectiveness aiming device insertion. Methods A Smith-Robinson approach were performed from C3 C7 in 10 human cadaveric specimens. pins inserted using novel at C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, C6-7. The angles between endplate slope alignment measured with lateral imaging. Results average Superior Endplate-to-Caspar Pin angle (SE-CP) Inferior (IE-CP) 6.2 ± 2.0° 6.3 2.2° respectively. For proximal pins, SE-CP IE-CP 4.0 1.1°and 5.2 2.4° distal 7.7 1.4° No violations occurred. Conclusion control entry points direction 2.2°, shows different are less than 7°.