Biomechanical Analysis of Biodegradable Cervical Plates Developed for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Article information

Asian Spine J. 2018;12(6):1092-1099
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 October 16
doi : https://doi.org/10.31616/asj.2018.12.6.1092
1Department of Neurosurgery, Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
2Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei Barun Hospital, Seoul, Korea
Corresponding author: Dong Ah Shin Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea Tel: +82-2-2228-2150, Fax: +82-2-393-9979, E-mail: cistern@yuhs.ac
Received 2018 January 25; Revised 2018 March 4; Accepted 2018 April 17.

Abstract

Study Design

In-vitro biomechanical investigation.

Purpose

To evaluate the biomechanical effects of the degeneration of the biodegradable cervical plates developed for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on fusion and adjacent levels.

Overview of Literature

Biodegradable implants have been recently introduced for cervical spine surgery. However, their effectiveness and safety remains unclear.

Methods

A linear three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the lower cervical spine, comprising the C4–C6 vertebrae was developed using computed tomography images of a 46-year-old woman. The model was validated by comparison with previous reports. Four models of ACDF were analyzed and compared: (1) a titanium plate and bone block (Tita), (2) strong biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-4G) that represents the early state of the biodegradable plate with full strength, (3) weak biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-1G) that represents the late state of the biodegradable plate with decreased strength, and (4) stand-alone bone block (Bloc). FE analysis was performed to investigate the relative motion and intervertebral disc stress at the surgical (C5–C6 segment) and adjacent (C4–C5 segment) levels.

Results

The Tita and PLA-4G models were superior to the other models in terms of higher segment stiffness, smaller relative motion, and lower bone stress at the surgical level. However, the maximal von Mises stress at the intervertebral disc at the adjacent level was significantly higher in the Tita and PLA-4G models than in the other models. The relative motion at the adjacent level was significantly lower in the PLA-1G and Bloc models than in the other models.

Conclusions

The use of biodegradable plates will enhance spinal fusion in the initial stronger period and prevent adjacent segment degeneration in the later, weaker period.

Introduction

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a safe and effective therapy for degenerative or traumatic conditions affecting the cervical spine [1]. Several methods have been used to perform ACDF; the method that involves the addition of an anterior plate is currently the most commonly used. Additional anterior plate fixation reportedly reduces the cage subsidence rate and enhances the fusion rate following ACDF [2-4]. However, complications related to ACDF, such as dysphagia, acceleration of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), and postoperative image artifacts of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are common and reportedly occur in up to 14% of all cases [5-7]. Patients may develop dysphagia following ACDF at any stage postoperatively [8-11]. In addition, titanium plates are commonly used for ACDF; this may result in imaging artifacts due to the resultant paramagnetic effect [12]. Moreover, ASD is the main complication that warrants consideration after ACDF using the anterior plate system [6].

Recently, biodegradable plate and screw systems have been developed to prevent these complications [13,14]. The introduction of these biodegradable systems may provide a novel benefit for reducing some long-term complications and removing imaging artifacts associated with the use of titanium-based systems. However, the effectiveness and safety of these biodegradable systems remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical differences between a biodegradable and titanium cervical plate in the operated and adjacent cervical spine after ACDF.

Materials and Methods

1. Finite element model

A three-dimensional (3D) non-linear finite element (FE) model of the cervical spine from the C4 to C6 vertebrae was created. To ensure model geometry, a high-resolution CT scan (1.0-mm thickness) was performed for a 46-year-old woman, height 160 cm, with neck pain. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board in medical center of Yonsei University as “exempt from consideration” (IRB no.,,,2017--24-2466-01). The patient received detailed study information and provided informed consent for this scan. We imported the digital imaging and communications in medicine data into Mimics (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) and generated a 3D model. Then, the spine model was imported into IA-FEMesh (The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA), and an FE mesh was generated for analysis. ABAQUS (Dassault System, Paris, France) was used to simulate the surgical scenarios with the spine model. The FE model comprised three cervical vertebrae, two intervertebral discs, two endplates for each level, and six spinal ligaments (Fig. 1). The spinal ligaments included the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, capsular ligament, interspinous ligament, and supraspinous ligament. The vertebral bodies comprised the outer cortical bone with shell elements (1-mm thickness) and inner trabecular bone with hexahedral elements. The posterior column was modeled as one part. The facet contact surface and endplates were composed of hexahedral elements (1-mm thickness). The intervertebral disc was composed of a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus. The annulus fibrosus was designed to include four layers. The spinal ligaments were modeled using truss elements. Surface-tosurface contact was used to simulate the interaction between the articulating surfaces of the facet joints. The entire vertebral body, endplate, and intervertebral disc were assembled with tie constraints at the interfacing surfaces. The properties of all elements were assigned, as shown in Table 1. We used the parameters suggested in a previous study [15,16]. Linear elasticity was applied to the bone, intervertebral disc, and cartilaginous structures. The spinal ligaments were designed as bilinear with a specific yield strain and stress values.

Fig. 1.

Comparison of the three cervical plates in the 2-Nm flexion moment (isometric views). Spinal ligaments are hidden. (A) A titanium plate and bone block (Tita model); (B) a strong biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-4G model); and (C) a weak biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-1G model).

Material properties of the finite element model of the cervical spine

2. Finite element model of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

To compare the biomechanical changes after ACDF, four types of surgical models were developed based on the validated intact spine model: (1) ACDF using a titanium plate and bone block (Tita) (Fig. 1A), (2) ACDF using a strong biodegradable plate and bone block that represents the early state of the biodegradable plate with full strength (PLA-4 G) (Fig. 1B), (3) ACDF using a weak biodegradable plate and bone block that represents the late state of the biodegradable plate with decreased strength (PLA-1G) (Fig. 1C), and (4) ACDF using a stand-alone bone block (Bloc) (Fig. 1). Both plate and screw systems had the same dimension. The length, width, and thickness of the plates were 22, 16, and 2 mm, respectively. The length and diameter of the screws were 16 and 3.5 mm, respectively. The depth, width, and height of the bone blocks were 7, 12, and 6 mm, respectively. Screws were entirely tied to the vertebral bodies. A tie constraint was also applied to the bone block and vertebral bodies to simulate complete fusion.

3. Boundary and loading conditions

The lower facet surface of the C6 vertebra was completely fixed in all directions. A reference point was created and constrained to the surface nodes of the C4 vertebra. Pure unconstrained 2- Nm flexion, 2- Nm extension, 2- Nm lateral bending, and 2- Nm torsion moments under 6-N axial compression were applied to the reference point in a stepwise manner. To reach the target moment, 10 load steps were applied. The range of motion (ROM) calculated at the endpoint of the loading cycle was compared with that calculated in previous human studies [15,17-19]. The ROM and intradiscal pressure were examined for all four motions generated in the fusion (C5–C6) and the adjacent levels (C4–C5). The four motions comprised flexion and extension in the sagittal plane, lateral bending in the coronal plane, and torsion in the axial plane. We also examined the maximal von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc and implant at the operative level (C5–C6) and adjacent intervertebral disc level (C4–C5).

Results

1. Model validation

The intact model was compared with the data from previous trials to assess model validity [19-2 1]. The calculated ROM values for the FE model were compared with those in previous studies (Table 2). Experimental and simulated loading protocols were identical to those in the study by Maurel et al. [20], and our data were within 10% of the mean values they reported (Table 2). Thus, we confirmed the validity of our FE model of the cervical spine.

Model validation after comparison of the calculated range of motion values of the finite element models from previous studies

2. Changes in range of motion

The ROM of all four motions decreased at the fusion level (C5–C6 level) in all the ACDF models (Table 3). Calculated ROM values of FE models in the control model were 5.15° in flexion motion, 7.19° in extension motion, 5.24 ° in torsion motion, and 2.65° in the lateral bending motion at the operative level (C5–C6). All four models showed limited neck motion after ACDF surgery. These data showed that the ROMs of flexion, extension, and lateral bending motions were further reduced after adding the plate system. The Tita and PLA-4 G models resulted in the greatest ROM limitations compared to those of the PLA-1G and Bloc models. The use of the PLA-1G and Bloc models also exerted a reduction in the ROM, but to a lesser degree (Fig. 2).

The calculated range of motion values of the finite element models in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torque motions at the operation level (C5–C6)

Fig. 2.

ROM at the fusion level (C5–C6). The ROM is the difference in the angle between the flexion and the extension views. Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block; ROM, range of motion.

ROM values at the adjacent level (C4–C5 level) were 5.99° in flexion motion, 5.63° in extension motion, 4.94° in torsion, and 3.33° in the lateral bending motion in the control model (Table 4). In all four implanted models, the ROMs of all directions at the adjacent level were mostly like that of the intact spine (Fig. 3). These data showed that the strength of the implant in the fusion level does not influence the ROM of the adjacent segment.

The calculated range of motion values of the finite element models in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torque motions at the adjacent level (C4–C5)

Fig. 3.

ROM at the adjacent level (C4–C5). The ROM is the difference in the angle between the flexion and the extension views. Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block; ROM, range of motion.

3. Changes in the maximal von Mises stress in the fusion-level block bone

The maximal von Mises stress values in the fusion-level block bone obtained with the Tita (38.4 N/mm2) and PLA-4 G (40.4 N/mm2) models were similar. The PLA-1G and Bloc models had higher values: 47.1 N/mm2 and 63.1 N/mm2, respectively. The maximal von Mises stress in the block bone was the highest in the Bloc model. Excessive stress on the block bone may induce subsidence, destruction, and consequent non-union (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

The maximal von Mises stress in the bone block at the operative level (C5–C6). Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block.

4. Changes in the maximal von Mises stress in the adjacent intervertebral discs

The maximal von Mises stress at the adjacent level was higher in the Tita (5.03 N/mm2) and PLA-4 G (5.04 N/mm2) models than in the other models; however, it was lower in the PLA-1G (4.92 N/mm2) and Bloc (4.93 N/mm2) models than in the other models. High stress in the adjacent intervertebral disc may contribute to ASD (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5.

The maximal von Mises stress at the adjacent intervertebral disc (C4–C5). Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block.

Discussion

ACDF with anterior plate support has been widely used in cervical degenerative diseases. However, several complications have been reported after ACDF. Common complications include the development of isolated postoperative dysphagia, postoperative hematoma, ASD, symptomatic recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, dural penetration, esophageal perforation, Horner syndrome, instrumentation breakage, and wound infection [6,8,11,22,23]. In addition, metallic instruments cause excessive image artifacts on postoperative MRI [24]. A biodegradable plate system has been introduced to overcome these problems. Biodegradable plate systems are typically absorbed within 6 months to 1 year postoperatively, and if dysphagia occurs, it does not persist after this period [13,2 5,26]. Dysphagia can be reduced because the mass effect of the plate disappears. In addition, it has no paramagnetic effect, making it advantageous in the evaluation of postoperative MRI scans. However, the effects of degradation of the biodegradable plate system on fusion and the adjacent levels have not yet been studied.

We assumed that the degradable plate would progress through three different stages. In the initial stage, the plate exhibits full stiffness without any degradation (PLA-4G model). In the second stage, partial degradation and structural weakness are observed (PLA-1G model). In the third stage, the system is fully degraded and disappears (Bloc model). This study evaluated the effect of biodegradable system on the fusion and adjacent levels at each stage by the FE model.

The cage-alone ACDF method is associated with some complications, including cage subsidence and a lower fusion rate, compared to ACDF using plate reinforcement [2]. This study showed that the von Mises stress on the intervertebral bone graft was higher in the Bloc model than that in all the other models (Fig. 4). The additional plate shares the loading on the interbody bone block. This suggests that the fusion rate in the plate system will be increased by preventing destruction of the bone block until the fusion of the interbody bone. This result is in agreement with previous findings that have shown that stand-alone bone fusion resulted in several complications, such as bone breakage, subsidence, and non-union [27]. However, the von Mises stress value shows that the stress applied to the adjacent level increases with the use of the plate system (Fig. 5). This indicates that while the fusion level reduces the stress on the bone block, the probability of ASD occurrence increases. ASD occurs more frequently when the plate system is used [28]. In the case of biodegradable plates, as shown in the initial PLA-4 G model, the stress value of the fusion level decreases to disperse the pressure until the bone block is fused. After the fusion, the stress value, similar to the PLA-1G value, can be reduced to prevent adjacent-level ASD.

In our results, the ROM and von Mises stress at the fusion level were significantly lower in the PLA-4 G model than that in the Bloc model. Moreover, these data showed that the PLA-4 G model with anterior support was similar to the Tita model. Anterior support provided by a high-strength material, such as PLA-4 G and Tita models, can prevent subsidence during the initial fusion period. This result is comparable to previous reports that showed that the cervical anterior plate system reduces the cage subsidence rate and enhances fusion rate after ACDF [2-4].

The von Mises stress at the adjacent segment level was lower in the PLA-1G model than in the Tita and PLA-4 G models. Lower pressure to the adjacent disc was observed in the PLA-1G and Bloc model. In a study by Ji et al. [28], the incidence of ASD was higher after titanium plate-augmented ACDF than after cage-alone ACDF. The PLA-1G model is comparable to the second stage of the biodegradable system wherein the biodegradable plate is partially absorbed and weakened. Studies have reported that the plates maintain approximately 90% of their initial strength at 6 months after implantation, and the strength drops to 70% after approximately 9 months [29,30]. Consequently, pressure transmission to the adjacent level is reduced, reducing the ASD risk.

Our study has certain limitations. First, we assumed that the plate has full strength in the PLA-4 G model in the early phase after surgery and weak strength after degradation. Although these data were from a preliminary study, the exact strength-versus-time graph of PLA remains unknown. Second, the biodegradable plate and screws lose strength when the plate and screw are undergoing degradation; furthermore, the degradation may not be continuous in nature. Rather than losing their strength in a linear pattern, the plate and screw may break abruptly during the postoperative period. Breakage of the plate and screw may increase the risk of injury to the esophagus or the surrounding tissues. Third, biodegradable plates can cause inflammation when they are biodegraded due to unknown biological effects or unknown mechanical effects of surrounding tissue. This reaction could cause some other complications. These situations were not simulated in the present study.

Conclusions

The biodegradable cervical plate and screw system provides initial stiffness and enhances cervical fusion. When it gradually degrades, it may result in less stress on the adjacent segments in the long term. Further clinical studies are required to elucidate the efficacy and safety of biodegradable plates for ACDF.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Industrial R&D program of MOTIE/KEIT (10052732).

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1.

Comparison of the three cervical plates in the 2-Nm flexion moment (isometric views). Spinal ligaments are hidden. (A) A titanium plate and bone block (Tita model); (B) a strong biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-4G model); and (C) a weak biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-1G model).

Fig. 2.

ROM at the fusion level (C5–C6). The ROM is the difference in the angle between the flexion and the extension views. Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block; ROM, range of motion.

Fig. 3.

ROM at the adjacent level (C4–C5). The ROM is the difference in the angle between the flexion and the extension views. Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block; ROM, range of motion.

Fig. 4.

The maximal von Mises stress in the bone block at the operative level (C5–C6). Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block.

Fig. 5.

The maximal von Mises stress at the adjacent intervertebral disc (C4–C5). Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block.

Table 1.

Material properties of the finite element model of the cervical spine

Variable Young’s modulus (N/mm2) Poisson’s coefficient Cross-section (mm2)
Cortical bone 12,000 0.3
Cancellous bone 100 0.2
Posterior arch 6,000 0.3
Endplate 300 0.3
Annulus fibrosus 2.5 0.45
Nucleus pulposus 1 0.499
Anterior longitudinal ligament 10 0.5
Posterior longitudinal ligament 20 0.5
Capsular ligament 20 0.6
Ligamentum flavum 50 0.4
Interspinous ligament 3 3
Supraspinous ligament 3 5
Tita 10,000 0.3
PLA-4G 4,000 0.3
PLA-1G 1,000 0.3
Bloc 10,000 0.3

Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block.

Table 2.

Model validation after comparison of the calculated range of motion values of the finite element models from previous studies

Variable Current model Maurel et al. [20] Moroney et al. [21] Pelker et al. [19]
Flexion -7.7±1.1 -7.0±1.3 -5.6±1.8 -6.1±3.9
Extension 7.3±1.5 7.5±1.2 3.5±1.9 3.5±1.8
Lateral bending 4.9±0.0 5.4±0.4 4.7±3.0 4.7±0.8
Torque 4.2±1.1 4.1±0.7 1.9±0.7 3.9±1.4

Table 3.

The calculated range of motion values of the finite element models in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torque motions at the operation level (C5–C6)

Variable Control Tita PLA-4G PLA-1G Bloc
Flexion 5.15° 0.09° 1.10° 1.67° 3.28°
Extension 7.19° 0.08° 0.57° 0.57° 3.08°
Lateral bending 2.65° 0.11° 0.36° 0.36° 0.58°
Torque 5.24° 0.05° 0.07° 0.07° 0.08°

Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block.

Table 4.

The calculated range of motion values of the finite element models in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torque motions at the adjacent level (C4–C5)

Variable Control Tita PLA-4G PLA-1G Bloc
Flexion 5.99° 6.02° 6.02° 6.03° 6.06°
Extension 5.63° 5.52° 5.52° 5.52° 5.56°
Lateral bending 3.33° 3.51° 3.47° 3.47° 3.44°
Torque 4.94° 4.70° 4.70° 4.70° 5.21°

Tita, a titanium plate and bone block; PLA-4G, strong biodegradable plate and bone block; PLA-1G, weak biodegradable plate and bone block; Bloc, stand-alone bone block.