Research
Spine surgery has the potential to benefit from additive manufacturing/3-dimensional printing (3DP) technology with complex anatomical pathologies requiring reconstruction, with the potential to customize surgery to reduce operative times, reduce blood loss, provide immediate stability, and potentially improve fusion rates. We report a unique case of intraoperative trial placement of a custom patient-specific implant (PSI) versus the final implantation of a customizable off-the-shelf (OTS) implant. Data collected for comparison included time to implant, ease of implantation, firmness of press-fit, and fixation options after implantation.
1Peripheral Nerve Research Foundation, Randwick, Sydney, Australia, 2Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurological Sciences, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia, 3Calvary Hospital, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Summary
The implanted peripheral nerve stimulator has a role for pain relief in well-selected patients with pain in a peripheral nerve distribution. We describe an electrode to help simplify the surgical implantation of a peripheral nerve stimulator and also to reduce the possibility of electrode migration following implantation. Design details of the electrode are discussed, as are notes on surgical technique. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: peripheral nerve, electrode, stimulator
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