The clinical relevance of these simulated corrections was evaluated by comparing the values obtained from the simulations with those measured on the postoperative CT taken for each patient.
The mean thoracic kyphosis angle and radius of curvature were also between the mean values of the two simulated corrections.
The kyphosis angle (T5-T12) and vertebral rotation angle at the apex were measured before and after the simulated corrections.
These results suggest that the real surgery can achieve a limited correction in the axial plane that falls between the two extremes of the simulated corrections.
Simulated corrections of each patient's scoliosis, as determined by the preoperative CT scan data, were performed on segmented 3D models of the whole spine.
The simulated corrections of scoliosis for each patient were performed on segmented 3D models of the whole scoliotic spine, created using 3D image processing software (Mimics; Materialise NV, Belgium) and based on a 1-mm-thick preoperative CT scan slice.
To evaluate the relationship between thoracic kyphosis and vertebral derotation, the thoracic kyphosis angle (T5-12), the radius of the thoracic curvature, and the vertebral rotation angle at the apex were measured before and after the two different simulated corrections for each patient.
The simulated osteotomies- preoperative bone models with simulated correction - and the performed osteotomies - postoperative bone models – were analyzed for residual differences in 3D alignment.
The purpose of this preliminary study was to develop a parametric volumetric detailed finite element model of the osteoligamentous spine to simulate surgical corrections of common spinal pathologies which, in subsequent studies, will serve to compare, design, and optimize new spinal devices.
To find out if you can tolerate it, your ophthalmologist may have you wear contacts that simulate the correction for a while (or simulate the correction in the office, though this won't give your brain a chance to adjust).
