Behavior of Injured Lamina in Lumbar Burst Fractures during Reduction Maneuvers: A Biomechanical Study

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Abstract

Introduction

Different lamina injury patterns are encountered frequently in lumbar burst fractures [12]. Two distinct types of lamina lesions exist: complete and incomplete. A dural tear and nerve root entrapment may accompany lamina fracture; however, it is not possible to verify their existence unequivocally by clinical and radiological methods until surgical exploration [34]. Many reports have documented neural element entrapment between fractured lamina edges [56]. A dural tear and neural entrapment in lumbar burst fractures have been documented in different studies to range from 19% to 47% [78]. One of the goals of surgical treatment of lumbar burst fracture is the restoration of the anatomy of the spinal column, including the spinal canal. In spine surgery, a dorsal midline approach is used to explore the lamina fractures to release any entrapped neural structure, as well as to restore the collapsed anterior and middle spinal columns by applying postural reduction, instrumental angular reduction, and stabilization with segmental transpedicular internal fixation. Both postural and instrumental reductions have important roles in the operative treatment [910]. Any reduction maneuver of a burst fracture accompanied with a lamina fracture will close the fractured lamina edges and crush the entrapped neural elements. Therefore, when a lamina fracture is present, it is critical to evaluate whether there is any neural entrapment to prevent further neurological impairment [8910]. To date, the information on reduction maneuvers have not relied on solid biomechanical trials and have been mostly dependent on clinical experience.

The aim of this in vitro biomechanical study is to assess the behavior of fractured lamina edges in lumbar burst fractures during reduction maneuvers.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen fresh-frozen lamb spines, which were obtained from a local slaughterhouse, were used. This model has a good approximate size and shape to the human vertebrae [1112]. Lamb spine samples were divided randomly to three groups of six. A single specific spine movement, which could be performed during fractured spine reduction trials, was used in each group. In the first group, only axial traction was used. In the second group, only flexion was tested, while extension was tested in the third group. The ages of the lambs were ranged from six to twelve months. The specimens were free of macroscopic and radiological diseases. Spine specimens were dissected from the L1 to the S3 level. All muscle tissues were dissected and cleaned from the spinal segments with care not to harm the interspinous ligaments, ligamentum flavum ligaments, facet joint capsules, and the intervertebral discs (Fig. 1A). Each specimen was wrapped in saline soaked gauze and stored in double plastic bags at −20℃.

Fig. 1

(A) Lamb spine sample; the paraspinal muscles were dissected and the interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum, facet joint capsules, and intervertebral discs were kept intact. (B) Using the preinjury and the dropped-mass technique, a burst fracture model was created in the L3 vertebra. (C) A central laminectomy of 5 mm was made to mimic a complete lamina fracture. Two upper and two lower holes were drilled on both sides of the lamina to allow for placement of optic markers. (D) Gap changes were measured using a coupled device camera non-contact video extensometer.

3. Biomechanical testing

The main purpose of the biomechanical set-up was to measure the lamina gap interval changes during reduction maneuvers, which are primarily composed of traction, extension, and flexion. To perform this task, a Shimadzu Autograph AG-5kNG universal test instrument (Shimadzu) was used. In group one, only traction was applied with a constant axial traction of 10 mm/min until 30–40 mm was applied to the specimens, and any changes in the upper and lower gap intervals were recorded. In the second and third groups, flexion and extension movements were used, respectively. To perform flexion and extension, a custom-made apparatus was designed to allow flexion up to 45° and extension of the examined samples up to 30° (Fig. 2A).

Fig. 2

(A) A custom-made device allowed spine sample flexion and extension up to 45°. (B) The camera system records the optic markers' movement, which is attached to the superior and inferior aspects of the lamina of the fractured vertebra.

After setting up the sample, all specimens in groups two and three were subjected to 0–200 N flexion and extension in a displacement-controlled mode, and the custom-made apparatus was moved 10°/min in flexion and extension. During the forward and backward movements, the upper and lower parts of the lamina gap intervals were recorded using a video extensometer (Fig. 2B) [14]. The camera system recorded the optic markers attached to the superior and inferior aspects of the lamina sides of the fractured vertebrae. For statistical evaluation, a paired t-test was used and p-value was set to be significant at <0.05.

Results

The lamina gap interval changes related to vertebra traction, flexion, and extension in the three groups are summarized in Table 1. At the end of the applied axial traction, gap interval narrowing was observed. The average gap interval values of narrowing of the upper and lower aspects of the lamina were 1.65±0.82 and 1.97±1.14 mm, respectively. No statistical significance was detected between the upper and lower gap intervals narrowing with p=0.62 (Fig. 3). The upper and lower parts of the lamina gap intervals behaved differently during extension. The upper part of the lamina interval widened markedly at different extension degrees. At 10°, 20°, and 30° of extension, the average values of widening of the upper aspect of lamina intervals were 0.016±0.024, 0.29±0.32, and 1.73±1.45 mm, respectively, whereas the lower aspect of the lamina gap intervals narrowed markedly at the various extension angles. At 10°, 20°, and 30° of extension, the average values for narrowing of lamina intervals were 0.023±0.012, 0.47±0.038, and 1.94±1.46 mm, respectively (Fig. 4).

Table 1

The average values of laminar gap interval changes with different spine movements

Fig. 3

Upper and lower aspects of lamina gap interval changes after gradual traction application.

Fig. 4

Upper and lower aspects of lamina gap interval changes after gradual extension application.

In flexion, the average values of the upper and lower regions of the lamina gap intervals demonstrated widening during different flexion angles. At 10°, 20°, 30°, and 45° of flexion, the upper lamina gap intervals average values widened by 0.019±0.023, 0.26±0.27, 0.89±0.51, and 1.75±0.96 mm, respectively. The lower part of the lamina gap intervals average values widened by 0.027±0.031, 0.48±0.35, 1.66±1.12, and 2.94±1.33 mm, respectively (Fig. 5). Although both the upper and lower intervals widened during flexion, the lower part of the lamina intervals had statistically significant widening at 30° and 45° of flexion, with p=0.043 and p=0.025, respectively.

Fig. 5

Upper and lower aspects of lamina gap interval changes after gradual flexion application.

Discussion

Burst fracture is characterized by a failure of the middle column, resulting in a retropulsion of a body fragment into the spinal canal [1516]. Lamina fracture is commonly encountered in burst fractures. Several studies have documented herniation of the neural elements between the fractured lamina edges, which can cause further neurological compromise [1718]. Skiak et al. [8] showed a strong association between the occurrence of a complete lamina fracture and a dural tear. In tears of dura, the likelihood of neural entrapment have been demonstrated at 33% in complete lamina fractures and 15% in incomplete lamina fractures. Surgeons are advised to be particularly careful with patients with complete lamina fractures [8].

Some studies have suggested that reduction maneuvers, such as instrumental traction and hyperextension, close the fractured lamina edges on the entrapped neural elements [1920]. Yet, this knowledge is based on clinical and surgical experiences and not on solid biomechanical studies.

There is no literature on biomechanical studies focused on the behavior of fractured lamina in burst fractures during traction, extension, and flexion movements.

The main purpose of this biomechanical study was to assess the behavior of the upper and lower portions of a fractured lamina in a mid-lumbar (L3) burst fracture model during reduction maneuvers. After application of the axial traction force, both the upper and lower aspects of the lamina gap interval average values narrowed during the traction exerted. Since traction is one of the main maneuvers used during reduction of the vertebral height intraoperatively [910], surgeons should be careful not to damage the entrapped neural elements during traction application. Exploration of the fractured lamina edges to release any entrapped neural element before traction application is advised to prevent neurological impairment, which may be caused by crushing the neural elements by the fractured lamina edges.

During variable degrees of flexion, the upper and lower parts of lamina edges widened. The upper part of the fractured lamina widened significantly more than the lower parts at 30°and 45° of flexion (Fig. 6A). During extensional forces, the upper and lower aspects of the lamina intervals performed differently. With a gradual increase in the extension angle, the upper part of the fractured lamina intervals widened, whereas the lower part narrowed (Fig. 6B).

Fig. 6

(A) The upper and lower arrows show the widening of the lamina gap during flexion. (B) The upper arrow shows the widening of the lamina gap, while the lower arrow shows the narrowing of the lamina gap during extension.

In the reduction of burst fractures, both postural and instrumental reduction maneuvers play a very important role in the restoration of vertebral height [102122]. Lamina injury is considered a severity marker in burst fractures [23]. Several authors recommend a laminectomy for lamina injuries in burst fractures to avoid possible entrapment of the neural element by crushing during reduction maneuvers [81021].

These findings may constitute a guideline for spine surgeons to better understand the behavior of a fractured lamina in burst fractures. This study demonstrates that the neural tissue entrapped between fractured lamina edges is in danger when performing reduction maneuvers, such as traction and extension. During these maneuvers, the fractured lamina gap interval, at the upper and lower parts, narrows during traction, whereas it narrows only at the inferior aspect of the fractured lamina during variable extension angles.

This study has some limitations. Lamb spine resembles the human spine in many aspects, but it would be more precise to perform such a trial on human cadavers in the future. Additionally, examining the behavior of a fractured lamina at different thoracolumbar spine levels is recommended.

Conclusions

In burst fractures accompanied with lamina fractures, neural entrapment may take place, particularly at the lower aspect of the fractured lamina gap during extension and throughout the whole lamina gap during traction. Reduction maneuvers should be attempted only after exploring the fractured lamina to prevent further neurological compromise.

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