Contact Fusion CageSurgical Technique
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This description alone does not provide sufficient background for direct use of DePuy Synthes products. Instruction by a surgeon experienced in handling these products is highly recommended.
Processing, Reprocessing, Care and MaintenanceFor general guidelines, function control and dismantling of multi-part instruments, as well as processing guidelines for implants, please contact your local sales representative or refer to:http://emea.depuysynthes.com/hcp/reprocessing-care-maintenanceFor general information about reprocessing, care and maintenance of Synthes reusable devices, instrument trays and cases, as well as processing of Synthes non-sterile implants, please consult the Important Information leaflet (SE_023827) or refer to: http://emea.depuysynthes.com/hcp/reprocessing-care-maintenance
Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique DePuy Synthes 1
Table of Contents
Introduction AO Spine Principles 2
Indications/Contraindications 3
Implants 4
Surgical Technique 5
Implant Removal 15
Product Information Implants 18
Instruments 20
Bibliography 22
coronalaxial
sagittal
2 DePuy Synthes Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique
The four principles to be considered as the foundation for proper spine patient management underpin the design and delivery of the Curriculum: Stability – Alignment – Biology – Function.1,2
StabilityStabilization to achieve a specifi c therapeutic out-come
BiologyEtiology, pathogenesis, neural protection, and tissue healing
AlignmentBalancing the spine in three dimensions
FunctionPreservations and resto-ration of function to pre-vent disability
AO Spine Principles
Copyright © 2012 by AOSpine
1 Aebi et al (1998)2 Aebi et al (2007)
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Indications/Contraindications
IndicationsLumbar and lumbosacral degenerative pathologies indicated for segmental spondylodesis including:• Degenerative disc diseases and instabilities:
– Primary surgery for certain advanced disc disease or extensive decompression (laminectomy, facetectomy, foraminotomy)
– Revision surgery for failed disc operation, recurrence of disc herniation, postoperative instability
• Degenerative spondylolisthesis grade I or II• Isthmic spondylolisthesis grade I or II• Pseudarthrosis of failed spondylodesis
Note: Additional posterior fixation with a pedicle screw system is recommended.
Contraindications• Severe osteoporosis• Unstable burst fractures and compression fractures• Destructive tumours• Involvement of 3 or more levels• Spondylolisthesis grade III and IV• Acute infections• Extensive peridural scarring
Pre-operatively
Female patient 60 years old,spondylolisthesis L4/L5
Post-operatively
Spondylodesis with CONTACT Fusion Cages and additional fixation with pedicle screws (USS)
1 DePuy Synthes Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique
Implants
Intended UseThe CONTACT Fusion Cage is an implant system for posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). It was designed to:• Allow for interbody fusion in an optimum anatomical
position• Allow distraction of the disc space to be bridged and
permit consequent restoration of disc height, lordosis and widening of the foramen
• Maintain the integrity of the endplates• Allow for bone growth through the cage
DesignThe CONTACT Fusion Cages have a rectangular cross section. They are introduced on the fl at side and turned clockwise in order to spread the disc space and to bring the cage to the vertical position. When viewed from the side, the cages have a “compact” lenticular form that conforms to the sagittal section of the average lumbar disc (L4–L5, L5–S1).
The posterior edges of the endplates are left intact which prevents the cage from posterior migration. The choice of seven implant sizes enables the desired disc height and natural lordosis to be restored.
The cage is fi lled with milled bone graft. The graft is compressed fi rmly against the endplates by a compres-sion insert which is screwed into the centre of the cage after implantation. The open inferior and superior sur-faces are designed to allow for bone growth through the cage.
The CONTACT Fusion Cages are manufactured of titanium alloy (TAN or TAV).
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Surgical Technique
1. Position patient
The PLIF procedures have to be performed in natural lordosis, either in the prone position or in a “relaxed” knee-chest position.
Radiographic equipment is recommended for intra opera tive control.
2. Approach and decompression of nerve roots
Perform a midline incision.
Do not strip the muscles farther laterally than the lateral aspect of the facet joints unless a posterolateral bone graft mass on the transverse processes is to be added.
If necessary, carry out decompression at this stage of the operation.
3. Insert of pedicle screws
Pedicle screws for additional posterior instrumentation can be inserted now or after having implanted the cages. The rods, however, are mounted on the screws only after insertion of the cages.
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4. Expose epidural space
If maintained, the spinous and transverse processes and the attached ligaments provide additional stability. However, if resection is required, the bone can be used as bone graft material. In this case, the spinous and transverse processes of the vertebrae to be fused have to be carefully freed of all soft tissue and stored in a con-tainer under a moistened gauze.
• Perform a partial inferior laminotomy (1/3) of the upper adjacent vertebra.
• The medial half of the facet joints should always be removed. Use a gouge and perform a partial resection of the overlying inferior facet and lateral part of the laminar edge.
• At the L5–S1 level, you will fi nd that the distal half of the lamina of L5 has to be removed in order to assure instrument access to the disc space.
• The underlying superior facet of S1 is then nibbled away to the level of the medial aspect of the pedicle.
It is essential to make suffi cient room laterally to avoid excessive retraction on the neural tissue, with great care being taken to protect the nerve root inside the fora men.
Surgical Technique
Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique DePuy Synthes 1
5. Prepare disc space
Open the posterior anulus (Anulus fi brosus) and carefully remove the nucleus (Nucleus pulposus).
To prevent an accidental perforation of the anterior anulus, use a curette neither too small nor too sharp (389.023). It is essential that the endplate be scraped free of all cartilage, however the bone should not be perforated. Great care should be taken to protect the nerve root and the dura.
(It will be easier to complete the cleaning of the endplates later, when the disc space has been opened with spreaders [389.009–015].)
Note: Adequate cleaning of the endplates is impor-tant for vascular supply of the bone graft. Excessive cleaning, however, may weaken the endplates due to removal of bone underlying the cartilaginous layers. Removing the entire endplate may result in subsid-ence and loss of segmental stability.
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6. Open disc space
Introduce a small Disc Space Opener (4/8 mm 389.006 or 5/9 mm 389.007) into the opposite side of the intervertebral space (1).
Separate the posterior edges of the vertebral bodies, which may be in very close contact, by turning the instrument 90° clockwise (2).
7. Spread disc space
Protect the nerve root and dura with a root retractor.
Introduce the smallest Vertebral Body Spreader (7/9 mm 389.009) on your side until the laser marks behind the head of the spreader are flush with the posterior edge of the vertebral body (1), and turn it 90° clockwise in order to spread the disc space (2).
If the vertebral body spreader is not seated firmly be-tween the vertebral bodies, replace it with the next bigger Vertebral Body Spreader (8/10 mm 389.010), inserting it in the same way.
Repeat spreading the disc space by introducing the next bigger spreader until you feel by resistance of the tended anulus that the disc space has been enlarged to its natu-ral height.
This last spreader should remain in place until the first cage is introduced on the other side.
Warning: Take care not to over-distract.
Surgical Technique
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Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique DePuy Synthes 1
8. Select appropriate cage size
Choose a CONTACT Fusion Cage (495.009–015) of the same height as the largest accepted vertebral body spreader.
9. Pick up cage
Position the CONTACT Fusion Cage Holder (389.024) on the cage (1). Turn the knob as far as it will go thus screwing the implant holder onto the cage (2).
Pick up the second cage in the same manner.
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10. Fill cages with bone graft
Pack the cages with finely milled autologous bone (the resected bone from the spinous processes and the facet joints will generally be sufficient). Use the Bone Com pres sion Forceps (388.492) to compress the bone within the cages.
11. Fill anterior disc space
To create desired conditions for the fusion, fill the anterior disc space with cancellous bone graft before intro ducing the cages.
Surgical Technique
01 (Seite2) Contact Fusion Cage
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90°
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13. Turn cage to upright position
Turn the cage clockwise. When the handle of the implant holder is parallel to the body axis, the cage is positioned vertically.
Note: Should it be necessary to turn the cage back on its side again, this must be done in a counter-clockwise direction.
12. Introduce cage
Introduce the flat side of the cage into the disc space with gentle hammer blows. The handle should always point away from the midline at introduction (in order to avoid interfering with the handle on the other side when the cage is turned). The nerve roots and dura must be protected by a retractor. Introduce the cage to the appropriate depth, 3 to 4 mm beyond the posterior edge of the vertebral body. When the shoulder of the implant holder tip is flush with the posterior edge of the verte-bral body, the cage is advanced enough. Although the anterior anulus is resistant in most patients, be aware that the resistance of the anterior anulus can be lost in a very degenerated disc.
If in doubt, check desired positioning of the cages with a lateral X-ray.
Note: Although the anterior annulus fibrosus and the anterior longitudinal ligament are resistant in most patients, this resistance may be lacking in the case of degenerated discs. Be aware of the risk of perforation.
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14. Loosen knob slightly
Loosen the knob by slightly turning it.
15. Retract sleeve and screw in compression insert
Holding it by its fl ange, retract the sleeve as far as it will go (1). This releases the internal locking mechanism of the com pression insert. In this position, the compression insert can be screwed in thus compressing the bone graft (2).
Surgical Technique
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17. Introduce second cage
Repeat the steps 9 to 16 on the other side.
Ensure that the second cage does not displace the fi rst when introduced. It should be introduced clear from the fi rst, and inserted as lateral as possible.
Fill in the space between the cages with cancellous bone, too, to achieve, as far as possible, a solid fusion.
16. Remove implant holder
Unscrew the compression insert (1) and disengage the implant holder from the cage (2).
OptionIf there is ample space on both sides of the dura, the handle may be left connected to the fi rst cage during the insertion of the second cage.
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18. Posterior stabilisation
Additional internal fixation with a pedicle screw fixation system is recommended.
Perform an additional posterolateral fusion if necessary.
Close the wound over a suction drain.
Surgical Technique
Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique DePuy Synthes 15
1. Insert shaft into cage
If necessary, the cage can be removed using the Emergency Holder (389.021). Screw the inner shaft of the Emergency Holder into the thread of the cage.
2. Slide sleeve on shaft
Mount the Sleeve of the emergency holder on the shaft and ensure that the coupling part of the sleeve fi ts into the slot of the cage.
Implant Removal
11 DePuy Synthes Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique
3. Mount L-handle
Mount the L-Handle (389.018) onto the sleeve of the emergency holder by pressing the coupling forward.
4. Mount knob
Mount the Knob provided as part of the Emergency Holder (389.021) onto the threaded shaft and firmly tighten it.
Implant Removal
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5. Remove cage
Turn the cage counter-clockwise (1) and remove it carefully (2) with gentle taps of the Slotted Hammer (359.035).
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Contact Fusion Cage, Titanium Alloy (TAN)
Non-sterile
495.009 CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, height 9 mm
495.010 CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, height 10 mm
495.011 CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, height 11 mm
495.012 CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, height 12 mm
495.013 CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 10 mm, height 13 mm
495.014 CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, height 14 mm
495.015 CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, height 15 mm
Sterile
495.009S CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, 9 mm
495.010S CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, 10 mm
495.011S CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, 11 mm
495.012S CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, 12 mm
495.013S CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 10 mm, 13 mm
495.014S CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, 14 mm
495.015S CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, 15 mm
Implants
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Contact Fusion Cage, Titanium Alloy (TAV)
Non-sterile
495.009V CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, height 9 mm
495.010V CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, height 10 mm
495.011V CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, height 11 mm
495.012V CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, height 12 mm
495.013V CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 10 mm, height 13 mm
495.014V CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, height 14 mm
495.015V CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, height 15 mm
Sterile
495.009VS CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, 9 mm
495.010VS CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 8 mm, 10 mm
495.011VS CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, 11 mm
495.012VS CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 9 mm, 12 mm
495.013VS CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 10 mm, 13 mm
495.014VS CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, 14 mm
495.015VS CONTACT Fusion Cage, width 11 mm, 15 mm
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359.035 Slotted Hammer, 9.5 mm
388.492 Bone Compression Forceps, for CONTACT Fusion Cage
389.006 Disc Space Opener, width 4 mm, height 8 mm
Instruments
389.007 Disc Space Opener, width 5 mm, height 9 mm
389.009 Vertebral Body Spreader, width 7 mm, height 9 mm
389.010 Vertebral Body Spreader, width 8 mm, height 10 mm
389.011 Vertebral Body Spreader, width 8 mm, height 11 mm
389.012 Vertebral Body Spreader, width 8 mm, height 12 mm
389.013 Vertebral Body Spreader, width 8 mm, height 13 mm
389.014 Vertebral Body Spreader, width 8 mm, height 14 mm
389.015 Vertebral Body Spreader, width 8 mm, height 15 mm
389.018 L-Handle with Quick Coupling, for CONTACT Fusion Cage
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389.024
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Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique DePuy Synthes 21
389.021 CONTACT Fusion Cage Emergency Holder
389.023 Bone Curette, rectangular, 6 × 9 mm, length 250 mm
389.024 CONTACT Fusion Cage Holder, with Compression Insert
22 DePuy Synthes Contact Fusion Cage Surgical Technique
Aebi M, Arlet V, Webb JK, (2007): AOSPINE Manual (2 vols), Stuttgart, New York: Thieme. Aebi M, Thalgott JS, Webb JK (1998): AO ASIF Principles in Spine Surgery. Berlin: Springer.
Bibliography
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Synthes GmbHEimattstrasse 34436 OberdorfSwitzerlandTel: +41 61 965 61 11Fax: +41 61 965 66 00www.depuysynthes.com ©
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